Shaded Seats on Hot Streets

Committee: Facilities, Parks, and Recreation

Cost: $450,000

Location: To be determined based on need and impact assessments.

Short Description: Create 3-5 shaded seating areas in busy areas most in need of shade and seating. Each area will be 300 to 500 square feet and include shade canopies and inviting places to sit: bench swings, chairs, tables, and communal seating.

Long Description:

Shaded seating areas will provide a range of urban oases along hot, busy streets—opportunities to get out of the sun or rain, rest before moving on with the rest of the day, and/or to have friendly interaction with others. The seats will be located in areas with heavy foot traffic, where rights of way allow. To make these areas more enticing, while keeping design and materials costs low, we propose providing a variety of creative seating options. Some people might enjoy reading or socializing on 2-3-person swing benches, while others would like to have lunch at four-person round picnic tables or socialize on benches labeled as “happy to chat” to encourage social interactions and mitigate loneliness. With increasingly hot summers, all these options would incorporate shade—either through shade structures above the whole mini park, existing large trees, or through umbrella structures built into the park furniture.

Project Update:

The first iteration of Cool Spots has been deployed in June 2025! Ranging from chairs in shaded areas like parks, to seating along busy streets, Cool Spots are public spaces where community members are encouraged to stop by, rest, and cool off. In the first round of implementation completed in June 2025, four Cool Spots have been launched across the City in and around the following locations:

• Donnelly Field

 

More Cool Spots will pop up around the city throughout the summer, so stay up to date for ones near you by coming back to this webpage and keep an eye out for the Cool Spots sticker as you move around the city. If you come across a Cool Spot in need of maintenance, or have suggestions for future locations, leave your feedback on the Cool Spots Survey. 

Cool Spots in Cambridge Common		Cool Spots at Sennott Park
Cool Spots near Green Rose Heritage Park
Cool Spots near Donnelly Field

Finding shade is an important part of staying cool, but there are more ways to stay heat safe. During hot summer days, please remember:

• Stay cool, stay hydrated: Don't forget to bring water with you, and take breaks from the sun to avoid heat exhaustion. 
• Protect your skin: Apply sunscreen and wear a hat to ensure you stay protected.
• Recognize Signs of Heat-Related Illness: Know the symptoms of heat exhaustion (heavy sweating, weakness, nausea, dizziness) and heat stroke (high body temperature, confusion, unconsciousness). If you or someone else experiences these, move to a cool place, hydrate, and seek medical attention if needed.

Visit the Sustainable Cambridge website at cambridgema.gov/sustainable to learn more about heat safety and other ways to stay safe from extreme weather and moving away from fossil fuels. 

Stay cool out there!