On June 28, 2022, the City hosted the “Riverside Transportation Conversation” seeking community feedback on transportation projects and concerns in the Riverside neighborhood. The event in Wheeler Park provided information and gather feedback on several topics, including the Memorial Drive Saturday and overnight closures. The City also published an online survey for those who couldn’t make the event.1892:
The City of Cambridge takes over the land next to the Charles River by eminent domain. The City develops Charles River Road and a series of riverfront parks.
1924:
The Massachusetts state government takes over Charles River Road and the riverfront parks and renames the parkway Memorial Drive.
1975:
A pilot project creates a space for recreation by closing a section of Memorial Drive to cars. Longer pilots and more closures occur for the next 10 years. The temporary recreation area created by this closure is sometimes referred to as "Riverbend Park." At some point, the term also begins to apply informally to the permanent riverfront parks.
1985:
The Massachusetts Legislature passes a law requiring the Metropolitan District Commission (the precursor to the Department of Conservation and Recreation) to close Memorial Drive between "Eliot Circle" (where Gerry's Landing Road is) and Western Avenue from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. every Sunday from the end of April until mid-November.
2020:
As the COVID-19 pandemic closes indoor recreation opportunities, DCR begins closing Memorial Drive on Saturdays and extends the season at the request of the Cambridge City Council.
2021:
The Cambridge City Council requests that DCR continues Saturday closures in 2021.
2022:
Saturday closures continue at the request of the Cambridge City Council, and DCR begins closing Memorial Drive from 8 a.m. on Saturdays to 7 p.m. on Sundays due to staffing constraints.