Recent Investments and Renovations

The City of Cambridge takes pride in its parks and open spaces.

By continuing to invest in maintaining and improving our parks, we ensure they support a wide range of users and uses. Here are some recent improvements and additions to parks in Cambridge, as well as some projects currently in design or under construction:

Binney Street Park, East Cambridge

In 2024, the City completed a new fenced dog park at the edge of Kendall Square. Designed as more than just a dog run, the park includes seating areas, naturalized plantings with native trees and perennials and a segment of the future Grand Junction Multi-Use Path.

Two mature linden trees were preserved at the center of the dog park, providing much-needed shade (an uncommon feature in new dog parks) and creating a more comfortable space for both dogs and their owners.

Looking for other places to bring your dogs? Learn more about off leash spaces in Cambridge at cambridgema.gov/offleash.

Peabody School Playground

In 2025, the City re-opened the Peabody School Playground following a major renovation. The updated playground features a central play hill, swings, a carousel for younger children, and a play tower and expanded swing options for older children.

The project also included Bankshot Basketball, an inclusive twist on the game featuring a series of creative backboard and hoop challenges for players to try to make a basket (think basketball meets mini-golf!). Designed for a wide range of ages and abilities, Bankshot encourages players to engage, experiment, and play together.

Automated External Defibrillators, Multiple Locations

You may have seen a new yellow cabinet pop up recently in a park near you. These are Automated External Defibrillator (AED) units that are being installed in parks across Cambridge this spring. The locations include all parks where soccer, football, baseball, softball, tennis, and golf are played. These devices analyze a heart’s rhythm, and if needed, can deliver a shock to re-establish an effective rhythm. The AEDs will be installed in highly visible locked cabinets and are unlocked by calling 911 and inputting the code you are given. They provide visual and verbal instructions to users, and they are remotely monitored and temperature-controlled, so they are available year-round. The cabinets will also contain a Stop-the-Bleed kit.

Coming Attractions

Linear Park, North Cambridge

Construction is underway at Linear Park, which connects Alewife Station and the Somerville city line. It is a critical link that connects to the Minuteman Commuter Bikeway and the Somerville Community Path, and a beloved destination in itself.

The pathway through a forested park will be improved to support the level of use the park now enjoys. The project will also make modest improvements to the passive spaces to include small areas for seating and pause, planting improvements, and playful moments to encourage a sense of discovery alongside paths that invite a meandering journey through a beloved space. Construction is expected to be complete by late 2026.

Gold Star Mothers Park, East Cambridge

As part of the Gold Star Mothers Park court renovation project, the City conducted standard testing of the soil in the park. Unfortunately, the first round of testing found contamination under the former basketball court. Additional testing showed similar contaminants in other areas of the park. The contaminants identified were largely typical of historic uses of the site and/or urban fill used in construction and landscaping in urban areas.

As a result, the City has begun coordination with state and federal environmental regulators to review conditions and permit remediation work. We have received approval to reopen the playground (tot lot) this spring 2026. Before reopening, a protective fabric layer will be installed beneath the existing playground mulch and sand to provide an additional safety barrier.

The City has also begun the design process for long-term remediation and park improvements with our environmental consultant. Following remediation, the main park uses, which include a ball field, basketball courts, and playground, will be carried forward into the reconstruction of the park. This process allows for minor updates to support current and anticipated uses of the park, such as new play equipment, additional seating in the park, integrating a future connection between the park and the future Grand Junction Multi-Use Path, and public art components.

Raymond Park

This well-loved neighborhood park in the Neighborhood Nine area of the City is undergoing a renovation to address drainage issues in the field, needed repairs to a retaining wall and the court area, and updates to the playground area and pathways to meet current accessibility standards. The renovated park will retain the shaded seating area at the eastern corner of the site—previously donated to the City by a neighbor and a favorite spot amongst locals—while incorporating improvements like a loop path, public art picnic grove, and terraced seating. Park construction is expected to be completed in late 2026.

Rafferty Park, Cambridge Highlands

This neighborhood park is located at the back of the Sancta Maria Nursing Facility parking lot. In addition to updated playground, tennis and basketball court, and field spaces, the park will include a loop path, and the installation of a Gaga Ball pit (a game similar to dodgeball). Construction is slated to begin later this year.

As the Percent for Public Art component of this project, Maine artist Thomas Berger will be carving two stone sculptures in the form of sheep, tying to the meadow-like character of the field and historic farms in the area.

To find out more about ongoing and recently-completed parks and open space projects, visit https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/parks/parksprojects.