Parks and Playgrounds FAQ

For Danehy Park: obtain a permit from the Recreation Division of the Department of Human Services Programs, call 617/349-6238, or email tcusick@cambridgema.gov.

For athletic fields excluding Danehy Park: obtain a permit from the Recreation Division of the Department of Human Services Programs, call 617/349-6238, or email tcusick@cambridgema.gov

• Visit the Department of Public Work's Park Permit webpage.

• You may use the Commonwealth Connect app to report any issues. Alternatively, refer to the phone numbers and emails listed below.

• For issues in city-owned parks and playgrounds (other than the exceptions below), contact the Department of Public Works at 617/349-4800 or theworks@cambridgema.gov.

• For issues in Danehy Park, please contact the Recreation Division of the Department of Human Services Programs at 617/349-4895 or tcusick@cambridgema.gov.

• For issues at Fresh Pond, please contact the Water Department at 617/349-4762 or vfalcione@cambridgema.gov.

• There are also a number of parks in Cambridge managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. For issues related to the Charles River Reservation, Alewife Reservation, Blair Pond, or McCrehan Memorial Pool, please call 617/626-1250 or mass.parks@state.ma.us.

• You can find applications for community garden space and related information here.

All waterplay facilities are free and open to the public during the summer months. Access a waterplay map here. 

View a map of off-leash dog areas and shared-use hours and locations here. For more information, visit CDD's Off Leash Dogs webpage. 

Explore the interactive parks and playgrounds map or view individual maps of the city displaying parks and playgrounds, waterplay, community gardens, or off-leash locations. 

Click here for a more complete listing of agencies involved in the operation or maintenance of open spaces in Cambridge or contact Gary Chan at gchan@cambridgema.gov or 617/349-4603 with any questions. We look forward to hearing from you!