Sensory Friendly Touch-A-Truck
The Cambridge Police Department and local partners will be hosting a Touch-A-Truck event outside the Robert W. Healy Public Safety Building on Wednesday, April 22, 2026 from 11:00am - 2:00pm. In recognition of Autism Awareness / Acceptance Month this will be a sensory friendly event.
New Enclosed Bins Combat Rodents and Improve Recycling
The Department of Public Works (DPW) is installing 200 new fully enclosed BigBelly bins starting in September 2025 to combat rodent activity and prevent litter. These new bins, which include both trash and recycling stations, will replace almost all of the open-top trash cans currently in the city.
Upcoming Flu, COVID-19, and VaxAbilities Clinics
The Cambridge Public Health Department is hosting free flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics for the Cambridge community, and partnering with VaxAbilities on two clinics (Oct. 19 and Nov. 16) with extra staff to provide skilled support to people with disabilities and/or sensory support needs.
Math is Power
The Cambridge STEAM Initiative partners with the Cambridge Public Schools’ Math Department on initiatives that focus on math as a civil right. As part of this collaboration, the STEAM Initiative has hosted screenings of Counted Out, a documentary exploring how inequitable access to math literacy impacts us.
Shop Farmers Markets Safely and Responsibly this Season
Due to COVID-19, farmers markets will be different this year - with masks, new layouts, and social distancing protocols. Markets are required to adhere to the Massachusetts Commissioner of Public Health’s Order outlining mandatory measures to reduce the exposure of shoppers and market employees to COVID-19.
Danehy Gateway Pavilion Project
The Danehy Gateway Pavilion project, a collaboration between the Department of Public Works and the Department of Human Service Programs Recreation Division, is the construction of a new sports pavilion (5,800 sq. ft.) and other improvements to Danehy Park. Located at 100 New Street, the pavilion will serve sports teams from Cambridge Rindge and Latin School (CRLS) and the community. The facility will provide female athletes with more equitable access to amenities, including new restrooms, changing and locker rooms, an athletic trainer’s room, a coach’s office, storage for athletic equipment, and multi-purpose space. The pavilion will also provide public restrooms for park visitors.
Additionally, the project scope includes lighting improvements to Danehy Dog Park, the provision of fiber optic to enable public internet access in the park, landscape improvements, and renovation of the existing New Street Parking Lot.
The project will be net‐zero emissions (all electric) and will target LEED Gold new construction and Passive House Certification. It will include a solar photovoltaic array and provisions for future electric vehicle charging stations.
The project is currently in the design phase.
September 2023 Community Safety Department Update
The Community Safety Department is a fully funded city department that exists outside of the traditional scope of public safety. Our mission is to provide residents with an alternative police response that will prioritize issues of mental and behavioral health in some of our most vulnerable communities.
Changes to Sewer Connection Fees Effective March 1, 2025
The Department of Public Works has announced changes to its sewer connection fees that will take effect on March 1, 2025. A sewer connection fee is a one-time charge assessed as part of a building permit, based on the number of plumbing fixtures that connect to the sewer.
Community Chat (Main)
Cambridge Public Library is planning for the future, and your voice matters! Drop by to share your ideas, speak with library staff, and learn more about our recent accomplishments. Your feedback will help us improve services and set priorities for the coming years in our next strategic plan.