Boston Parks Department announces registration for Tenacity’s 2026 Summer Tennis and Reading Program

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce that registration is now available for our free Summer Tennis and Reading Program (STRP) in partnership with Tenacity. The program will return to 16 park locations across Boston this summer, offering youth a unique opportunity to stay active and engaged through tennis, fitness, and reading.

Designed for Boston youth ages 6 to 15, STRP combines tennis and fitness activities with engaging reading sessions to help keep both minds and bodies active during the summer months. Registration is now available through the end of July.

“We are beyond excited to offer this program in partnership with Tenacity,” said Interim Commissioner Cathy Baker-Eclipse. “Not only will this program bring attendees to a vast number of our parks throughout Boston, but it will also give kids a meaningful opportunity to grow both on and off the court, building physical skills like tennis alongside mental skills like reading.”

The program will run from July 6 through August 14, with two daily sessions:

Morning: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (ages 6-10)
Afternoon: 1:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. (ages 10-15)

Each age group meets daily for a session that includes tennis and fitness activities and a variety of light reading activities. STRP is available at the following locations:

Boston Common, Back Bay/Beacon Hill
Carter Playground, Roxbury
Moakley Park, South Boston
Constitution Beach, East Boston*
Dorchester Park, Dorchester
English High School Athletic Fields, Jamaica Plain
Harbor Point, South Boston*
Hunt-Almont Park, Mattapan
Iacono/Readville Playground, Hyde Park
Madison Park High School Athletic Fields, Roxbury
Malcolm X Park, Roxbury
Rogers Park, Allston-Brighton
Roxbury Latin High School, West Roxbury*
East Boston Memorial Stadium, East Boston
Savin Hill Park, Dorchester
West Roxbury High School Athletic Fields, West Roxbury

*indicates partner locations

Please note: Harbor Point, Savin Hill Park, Sartori Stadium, and Carter Playground only offer a morning session.

Since 1999, the Summer Reading and Tennis Program has been offered at parks across Boston, providing an enriching learning environment for city youth, keeping minds and bodies active during the summer.

“Tenacity started in the summer,” said Founder & CEO Ned Eames. “Before we were in classrooms year-round, we were in Boston’s parks, rackets in hand and books open, helping kids discover their confidence and love of learning. For decades, Boston families have trusted us to provide a safe, supportive, and fun space where kids can grow, learn, and build friendships. Tenacity's free Summer Tennis & Reading Program is still local in neighborhood parks and still changing lives. We invite Boston families to make this summer unforgettable for their children!”

Through its partnership with Tenacity, the City of Boston employs over 100 youth workers, providing exciting summer jobs that offer rich opportunities to build leadership skills. These positions are coordinated through Boston’s Youth Engagement and Employment program and the Boston Centers for Youth & Families. All STRP site leaders and staff 18-years and older are USTA Safe Play certified.

Registration is now available at tenacity.org/summer-tennis-reading-program-boston. For questions about registration, please contact Mike at mikekennedy@tenacity.org.

To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks, visit boston.gov/parks, call (617)-635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels at @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky and @bostonparksdept on Facebook and Instagram.