City Manager's Ahern Field Update June 6, 2026
Thank you for your continued engagement in the 158 Spring Street & Ahern Field/Play Areas planning process. Throughout this project, residents, families, youth sports participants, neighbors, advocates, and community organizations have devoted significant time and thought to helping shape the future of this public space. The passion people have shown for Ahern Field reflects how much this park means to the East Cambridge and youth sports communities, and I am grateful to everyone who participated in meetings, shared feedback, and contributed their perspectives. Your involvement has helped inform this project at every stage.
From the beginning of this process, there was a commitment to creating a high-quality, multi-use community space that serves the school, broader community and youth sports. The conversation centered not on whether improvements were needed, but on the best way to achieve that goal. City staff believed that a synthetic turf field could help support the various users of the field and address growing demand for recreational space by supporting more consistent, all-weather use. At the same time, many community members expressed a strong preference for preserving a natural grass field and the character, experience, and environmental benefits of natural materials.
After careful consideration of community input, City Council feedback, and the project's overall goals, we have decided not to install a synthetic turf field or the athletic lighting, which was included to support additional permitted use of the space. Instead, we will move forward with reconstructing the natural grass field, including improvements to drainage and irrigation that will enhance field quality and usability. The funds that were committed to lighting the fields were part of the FY25 park restoration capital budget.Those funds can be used to support lighting at Danehy Park to expand playable hours on those existing synthetic turf fields.
This approach reflects the community's preference for a natural grass field and will create the type of open space many residents have told us they want to see at Ahern. At the same time, it is important to acknowledge that every design choice involves tradeoffs. While the improvements will enhance the field and provide improved drainage and irrigation, a natural grass surface will continue to have limitations on the amount and intensity of use it can accommodate compared to an all-weather field. We will continue working with the neighborhood, the school community, and our youth sports partners to manage and program the space. And the lighting at Danehy will provide additional bookable time for youth sports on those existing turf fields.
One of the things that makes Cambridge special is the extraordinary level of civic
engagement our residents bring to community issues. People care deeply about their neighborhoods, parks, schools, and public spaces, and they are willing to invest their time and energy in helping shape decisions. While this project generated differing viewpoints, those perspectives came from a shared desire to create the best possible outcome for the community. The City's responsibility is to listen carefully, consider the many competing needs and interests involved, and make decisions that balance those priorities as thoughtfully as possible.
As we move into the final stages of design and construction, we remain committed to working with the community to deliver a park that serves residents for years to come. Thank you again for your engagement, partnership, and continued commitment to the future of Ahern Field.
Very truly yours,
Yi-An Huang
City Manager
View full update here.
Soil Borings the Week of June 15, 2026
As part of the design process for 158 Spring Street and Ahern Field Improvements, the City's consultant CDM Smith and their subcontractors, will perform soil borings in and around the site beginning June 15. These soil samples provide valuable information that will assist in the design.
You will notice DigSafe markings (spray paint) on the street and sidewalk which identify the limits of the work zone, underground utilities, and the proposed boring locations.
This work will begin the week of June 15 and will take approximately 1 week, weather permitting.
What To Expect:
- Work hours will be from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- “No Parking” signs will be posted on a section of Hurley Street that leads to the school parking lot; please be sure to check dates/times.
- A truck mounted drill rig and other equipment will be set up for several hours at each boring location.
- The City’s consultant will have personnel on site collecting soil information along with workers from the drilling subcontractor.
- A police detail will accompany the work, when available.
- Emergency vehicles and City services will have access at all times.
- Vehicle access in and out of properties will be maintained but may be restricted for short periods. If the subcontractor must block a driveway, they will communicate this with the resident in advance.
Information & Assistance:
Questions regarding this project? Contact Kristen Kelleher, DPW Communications Director, 617-349-4825/ kkelleher@cambridgema.gov
For more information about the project and to sign up to receive future updates visit: www.cambridgema.gov/ahernfield
If you have any special need or disability, please contact us to arrange for special accommodations that may be necessary. In case of an emergency after hours, please call the 24-hour line at 617-349-4800.
May 27, 2026 Concept Design Development
The City is continuing design development for improvements at Ahern Field and the surrounding park areas. The concept shown here illustrates the overall direction of the project including a proposed synthetic turf athletic field intended to support a wide range of recreational uses, along with broader park improvements focused on accessibility, play, gathering spaces, shade, landscaping, and heat mitigation.
In addition to athletic field improvements, the project currently includes concepts for additional trees and planting areas, depaving and expanded green space, updated seating and social areas, playground and water play features, and circulation and entry improvements intended to better support day-to-day neighborhood use of the park. The perspective rendering shown here depicts a view of the conceptual design courts, fields, and gathering areas.
These graphics are conceptual and represent the current stage of design development. Final materials, layouts, amenities, and project scope remain subject to further refinement through ongoing design, technical review, permitting and budgeting.
Presentation from the March 11, 2026 Conceptual Design Open House available to view here!
Ahern Field Conceptual Design Open House, March 11, 2026
The City will be hosting a Conceptual Design Open House on Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 6-8 p.m.
Ahern Field, located at 259 Charles Street, offers 2.6 acres of outdoor recreational space. We are planning improvements to create a more welcoming, accessible, and active neighborhood park for people of all ages.
After meeting with recreational users and hosting two community pop-ups, we’ve developed early design ideas based on what we heard.
Join City staff and the project team to review the concepts and share your feedback. Help shape the park’s future.
View full flyer here!
July 22, 2025 Ahern Field Pop-up event #2
Help Improve Ahern Field! Join us for a POP UP EVENT on Tuesday, July 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Do you spend time at Ahern Field?
Whether you use the basketball courts, playground, waterplay area, softball field, or street hockey space—we want to hear from you!
Stop by our table to talk with the design team!
Tell us where you spend the most time and what parts of the park you think need improvements.
We’ll be set up on the east side of the school, between the two playground areas. We’ll have free treats and a chance for you to share your ideas!
Your feedback will help us plan future updates to the park that reflect what the community needs and wants.
Can’t make it? Don’t worry—this is just the second of several events where you’ll have a chance to share your thoughts. If you attended the first event on June 23, no new information will be presented.
View flyer here.
June 23, 2025 Ahern Field Pop-up event #1
Join us at a Pop Up Event to Help Improve Ahern Field
Do you spend time at Ahern Field?
Whether you use the basketball courts, playground, waterplay area, softball field, or street hockey space—we want to hear from you!
Stop by our table to talk with the design team!
Tell us where you spend the most time and what parts of the park you think need improvements.
We’ll be set up on the east side of the school, between the two playground areas. We’ll have free popcorn and a chance for you to share your ideas!
Your feedback will help us plan future updates to the park that reflect what the community needs and wants.
Can’t make it? Don’t worry—this is just the first of several events where you’ll have a chance to share your thoughts.
View full flyer here.
