Open Space Plan Update
From Summer 2021 through Fall 2022, the City led a planning process to guide future work around all of Cambridge’s parks and open spaces. Cambridge is home to over 80 parks, playgrounds, and open spaces. Each plays an important role in keeping Cambridge healthy, equitable, and sustainable. We want to ensure that changes over time reflect our community’s values and priorities.
The City worked with the community to craft a shared vision for Cambridge's parks and open spaces.
Engagement Updates & Meeting Materials
Survey 1: Tell Us How You Use Parks (July 2021 - June 2022)
405 responses
Meeting 1: Kickoff Meeting (November 10, 2021)
Meeting 1 Presentation Slides (PDF)
Meeting 1 Recording - Passcode: sbUL9t^k
Meeting 2: Community Core Values and Priorities (December 15, 2021)
Meeting 2 Presentation Slides (PDF)
Meeting 2 Recording - Passcode: #2?fTU5q
Survey 2: Community Core Values & Priorities (January 2022 - February 2022)
142 responses
Meeting 3: A Visioning Workshop for Our Parks and Open Space (March 24, 2022)
Meeting 3 Presentation Slides (PDF)
Meeting 3 Recording - Passcode: OPOP_Mtg3
In-Park Pop Ups at Danehy Park, Toomey Park, Joan Lorentz Park, and Hoyt Field (April - May 2022)
60+ participants
Survey 3: Park Use & Access (April 2022 - June 2022)
395 responses
Focus Group at Russell Youth Community Center (April 27, 2022)
22+ participants
Focus Group at Gately Youth Center (May 9, 2022)
12+ participants
Meeting 4: Setting Our Goals (June 30, 2022)
Meeting 4 Presentation Slides (PDF)
Meeting 4 Recording - Passcode: OPOP_Mtg4
Pop Ups at Dana Park, Cambridge Common, Greene-Rose Heritage Park, and Cambridge Community Learning Center (July - August 2022)
40+ participants
Plan Background
State Open Space and Recreation Plan
Through this process the City will update its Open Space and Recreation Plan (OSRP) for submission to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. In order to be eligible for open space grant funding from the state, a city or town must have a current and approved Seven-Year Open Space and Recreation Plan filed with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs.
Previous Open Space and Recreation Plan
The City of Cambridge's previous OSRP covered the period of 2009-2016. Click the links below to download the plan in full or to view individual sections of the plan document
Download Full 2009-2016 Open Space and Recreation Plan Document
Open Space Plan - Complete Document (including Maps and Tables)
Download Document Sections
| Pages 1-196 |
Open Space Plan - Text Only |
| Maps 3-1, 3-2, 3-3, 3-4, 3-5 and Table 3-9 |
Regional Context, Environmental Justice Populations, Transportation Infrastructure, Bicycle Facilities, Base Zoning Districts, Zoning Reference Sheet |
| Maps 4-1, 4-2, 4-2A, 4-3, 4-4 |
Soils, Water Resources, Up-Country Watershed Areas, Historic Protections, Landscape Character and Unique Features |
| Maps 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4 and Tables 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4; Maps 6-1, 6-2 |
Significant Private Open Spaces; Major Public Open Spaces, Community Gardens, Schools and Youth Centers; Public Street Streets, Plazas and Pocket Parks; Other Public Facilities; Cambridge Neighborhoods, New Parks and Areas of Need (Green Ribbon Study) |
| Maps 7-1, 7-2 |
Eastern Cambridge Planning Study and Concord-Alewife Planning Study Goals |
| Map 9-1 |
Seven-Year Action Plan |
| Tables 5-1, 5-2, 5-3, 5-4 |
Inventory of Major Public Open Spaces, Inventory of Community Gardens; Inventory of Schools and Youth Centers; Inventory of Other Public Facilities |
For More Information
For more information contact Gary Chan at 617-349-4603 or gchan@cambridgema.gov.