Planning Advisory Council Launches Progress Report: Charlestown

In February 2025, the PAC released Progress Report: Charlestown, an interactive storymap highlighting the status of major public investments the City is making in the neighborhood. 

The projects highlighted in the report are informed by PLAN: Charlestown, a comprehensive neighborhood plan published in September 2023 following four years of community engagement.

The storymap features eight sections: Mobility, Parks, Green Space and Resilience, Housing, Historic Preservation, Education, Public Facilities, Arts & Culture, and Jobs & Business. In this blog post, we’re excited to spotlight three of the many city investments included in the storymap.

Ryan Playground:

Established in 1891, the John J. Ryan Playground has been a staple of the Charlestown community for over a century. However, due to its unique waterfront location on the Mystic River, this community treasure is particularly vulnerable to flooding and contributes to a greater flood pathway for the rest of the neighborhood. In December 2024, the City launched the $25 million Ryan Playground improvement project to mitigate climate risk and ensure the playground can serve generations of Charlestown families to come. The project is supported by both the City’s capital budget and the Charlestown Community Impact Fund.

“We’re excited that the Ryan Playground renovations reflect the priorities and vision of the Charlestown community,” said Liza Meyer, interim Boston parks commissioner. “Residents emphasized the need for both active and passive recreation, multi-generational gathering spaces, and preserving waterfront views of the Mystic River—priorities that are at the heart of this design. From new multi-use fields and a revitalized hockey rink to shaded seating and a waterfront promenade, this project balances play, relaxation, and resilience. We look forward to delivering a park that will serve Charlestown for generations to come.”

The project’s design was supported and shaped by community feedback from numerous local organizations including the Charlestown Youth Sports Association, Charlestown Little League, Charlestown Mothers Association, and the Mystic River Watershed Association.  

The anticipated park opening is fall 2026. 

Bill Russell Bridge:

The City of Boston is working closely with the MBTA to improve bus service through targeted transit priority measures. These efforts aim to make bus travel faster, more reliable, and more consistent—especially in areas where riders face the worst delays. By focusing on key corridors and high-ridership routes, the City and MBTA are creating a more dignified and dependable experience for bus passengers.  

One example is the new Bill Russell Bridge, a critical gateway into Charlestown. The new bridge’s design includes an inbound bus lane as a dedicated transit priority feature. With construction scheduled to be completed in spring 2025, this long-planned improvement will soon provide dedicated space for buses, physically separated bike lanes, and wider side walks, enhancing travel time reliability for thousands of riders commuting into downtown Boston. These mobility improvements are in line with PLAN: Charlestown.

The Bill Russell Bridge, which replaced the North Washington Street Bridge, earned its name in October 2024 in honor of civil rights activist and Celtics legend William Felton ‘Bill’ Russell.

Throughout his career, Russell earned 11 NBA titles, the most of any player to date. Russell’s achievements didn’t stop on the court. In 1961, he participated in the first player boycott of a game as a civil rights protest after two of his teammates were refused service at a restaurant. Russell went on to become an active member of the Civil Rights Movement, attending the March on Washington and supporting the creation of an integrated basketball camp in Mississippi. 

“As this bridge plays a vital role in connecting communities and literally bringing people together, it is fitting that it is named after Bill Russell, a man who did those very things throughout his life,” said Monica Tibbits-Nutt, MassDOT secretary and CEO. “Our hope is that the thousands of people who cross this bridge on a daily basis are reminded of the indelible legacy that he left behind, not only in the city of Boston but across the country.

BCYF Clougherty Pool:

The City is making a major investment in renovating BCYF Clougherty Pool, a public pool operated by Boston Centers for Youth & Families. Originally built in the 1940s, the renovations prioritized the facility’s modernization and increased accessibility. The pool reopened in summer 2024 and renovations on the bathhouse and roof terrace will be complete in summer 2025.  

“The beloved BCYF Clougherty Pool is a vital community resource that has been serving Charlestown families for generations, providing a place to cool off, learn to swim, and connect with neighbors,” said Marta Rivera, BCYF commissioner. “The recent renovations demonstrate Mayor Wu’s commitment to investing in our neighborhoods and creating spaces where families can thrive."

The renovations to Clougherty Pool are part of a larger investment the City is making in modernizing the 18 city-owned pools. The Mayor is committed not only to ensuring Boston’s youth have access to pools, but increasing access to free swim lessons through Swim Safe so they can enjoy the City's pools and coastlines safely.

To read more from the Planning Advisory Council click here.