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Update: Go to the Riverbend Park webpage for the latest information on Memorial Drive closures.
The City of Cambridge and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) are seeking input from Cambridge residents on the weekend closures of Memorial Drive to cars.
Community members can share their thoughts at a community meeting in the auditorium of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. School on Thursday, October 6, from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For almost 40 years, DCR has closed a portion of Memorial Drive to motor vehicle traffic on Sundays to allow pedestrians, cyclists, and others to enjoy the riverfront roadway without cars. In 1985, the Massachusetts Legislature passed a law that requires DCR to close Memorial Drive between Gerry’s Landing Road and Western Avenue from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Sunday from the end of April until mid-November. In 2020, as the COVID-19 pandemic closed indoor recreation opportunities, the Cambridge City Council asked DCR to close the area on Saturdays as well.
Now, Memorial Drive is closed from Gerry’s Landing Road to Western Avenue from Saturday at 8 a.m. to Sunday at 7 p.m. The car-free area created by these closures is sometimes referred to as "Riverbend Park."
The City and DCR want to hear what residents think about the current closure schedule. At this community meeting, residents will hear a brief presentation before having an opportunity to speak about their experiences with the closures.
Masks are strongly encouraged, and City staff will provide masks to attendees who do not have them.
This meeting was rescheduled after an outdoor meeting planned for September 13 was canceled due to thunderstorms. The content will be the same as a virtual meeting held on September 14 via Zoom. The event builds on previous engagement opportunities around Memorial Drive closures, including a series of meetings hosted by City Councilor Denise Simmons and a “Riverside Transportation Conversation” open house and survey.
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