The Charles River Conservancy is excited to announce an innovative opportunity to further enrich the vibrant culture of the Lynch Family Skatepark. We are launching the inaugural Artist-in-Residence program, inviting graffiti and street artists to contribute their creative vision to this dynamic public space. This summer-long, paid residency is designed to foster artistic expression, build community within the park, and celebrate the unique skate culture that thrives here.
Our search is focused on a local artist whose work will resonate with and amplify the voices of underrepresented groups within the skateboarding community. The Charles River Conservancy believes in parks as vital public spaces that should be welcoming and inclusive to all. We encourage artists to consider the existing Lynch Family Skatepark community and explore how graffiti and street art can enhance the sense of belonging already present. We are committed to creating Charles River Parks where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, and particularly welcome applications from individuals who identify as BIPOC, queer, women, transgender, non-binary, and/or disabled.
Application Deadline: Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 11:59 PM.
Call for Art (PDF)
This Artist-in-Residence program at the Lynch Family Skatepark is a pilot project demonstrating the Charles River Conservancy’s ongoing commitment to community engagement and park stewardship. If you are inspired to support this initiative, contribute through donation, or learn more about its development, please explore our public art process.
Join us in shaping the artistic future of the Lynch Family Skatepark, a cornerstone of Boston’s skate scene!
Opened in 2015, the Lynch Family Skatepark in Cambridge’s North Point Park is a landmark achievement for the Charles River Conservancy, who spearheaded its planning, design, and construction. We extend our deepest gratitude to the numerous donors whose generosity made this incredible space a reality.
Today, this park, expertly maintained by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), is a bustling hub for skateboarders, artists, recreational enthusiasts, and the wider community. The CRC is thrilled to embark on a new public art process at the skatepark, further enriching its cultural landscape.
Skaters enjoying the Lynch Family Skatepark in Cambridge, MA.
Prime Location Under the Zakim Bridge
The Lynch Family Skatepark boasts a unique and iconic location in East Cambridge. Nestled beneath the soaring access ramps of the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, it’s a visually striking and easily accessible destination. Its adjacency to the North Bank Bridge, a pedestrian link connecting North Point Park to Paul Revere Park in Charlestown, further enhances its connectivity within the Charles River park system. This central location makes it a vibrant and integral part of the urban landscape, drawing visitors from across the region and beyond.
Lynch Family Skatepark logo featuring the Zakim Bridge silhouette.
Important Park Information: The Lynch Family Skatepark is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The park welcomes visitors from dawn until 10:00 PM daily. Thanks to a collaborative effort between the City of Cambridge and DCR in 2018, lighting extends park hours past dusk, ensuring skaters can enjoy the space longer. While safety gear is highly recommended, please be aware that you use the park at your own risk. For any park-related inquiries or concerns, please contact DCR directly at [email protected].
A Hub of Skatepark Happenings
The Lynch Family Skatepark is more than just a skatepark; it’s a dynamic community space that regularly hosts events and gatherings. From casual skate sessions to organized meetups and even impromptu art displays, there’s always something happening. Check local skate social media groups and the Charles River Conservancy’s website for the latest updates and events. This constant activity ensures the park remains a lively and engaging place for skaters and spectators alike.
Public Art: Building Community Resilience
The Charles River Conservancy is committed to leveraging public art to foster social and spatial resilience at the Lynch Family Skatepark. Our aim is to strengthen both the physical environment and the social fabric of the park. We have initiated a community-driven design process that will culminate in public artwork that celebrates the park’s users and invites new audiences to experience the riverfront. This exciting initiative builds upon extensive community engagement, incorporating feedback from over 200 park users gathered through our Public Art Forum Series, the Social Justice Skate Jam, and our partnership with the consulting firm Agncy. With the support of DCR, we are actively transforming the community’s vision for public art into a tangible reality.
[Lynch Family Skatepark Artist-in-Residence Program Layout Preview](https://thecharles.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/LFS-AIR-program-layout-preview-1024×660.png)
A key component of this vision is the Artist-in-Residence Program, designed to support the engaged community and reinforce the skatepark’s reputation as a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for skaters, artists, and creatives of all kinds. Learn more about the Artist-in-Residence program, including its vision, timeline, and the studies that have informed our process (PDF).
Project Goals: Art, Responsibility, and Inclusivity
The public art initiative at Lynch Family Skatepark is guided by three core goals:
- Community-Reflective Art: To create artwork in collaboration with community leaders that authentically reflects the spirit of the skatepark and its diverse community.
- Shared Ownership: To encourage a sense of shared responsibility for the park’s upkeep and care through artistic engagement and community involvement.
- Spatial Resilience and Inclusivity: To enhance the park’s spatial resilience by fostering open dialogue among users, ensuring the Lynch Family Skatepark remains a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone, regardless of background or identity.
Central to this project is the Skatepark Advisory Group, a team of skaters, artists, and art administrators empowered by the CRC to shape the future of the park. This group ensures that the investment in public art truly reflects the skaters’ existing commitment to the space. We actively seek a diverse range of voices, experiences, and professional expertise within the group, prioritizing representation from BIPOC, queer, women, transgender, nonbinary, and/or disabled individuals. Participation is open to all ages, and we encourage individuals with varied backgrounds and skill sets to apply. Advisory group members are compensated for their valuable time and contributions.
“Open the space and tell people, like you are welcome here, you can be here, this is your space, come and use it.” — Skatepark community member, via Agncy listening session
Skate Scene Spotlight: Local Collectives
One of the best ways to immerse yourself in the Lynch Family Skatepark experience is to connect with the local skate community. We are enthusiastic supporters of local skate collectives that bring skaters together for social gatherings and meetups. These groups are the lifeblood of the park, fostering camaraderie and a welcoming atmosphere for skaters of all levels.
Clyde Carmant capturing the Zakim Bridge and skatepark scene.
Many of these skate groups warmly welcome beginners, making it easy for anyone to join in, regardless of skill level or preferred skating style. Follow these groups on social media to stay informed about upcoming events and meetups at the Lynch Family Skatepark. Here are a few to get you started: [Insert links to local skate collectives if available].
“My whole community is here and it’s so perfect and I’m so happy here. And like, literally, yeah, coming here after work, skating with my friends, I’m like, there’s nothing really more than I need in my life.” — Skatepark community member, via Agncy listening session
The CRC proudly champions the local skate community and regularly showcases the vibrant skate scene at Lynch Family Skatepark on our Instagram page. Do you know a skater or skate group deserving of the spotlight? Send us a DM!
Extended Evening Hours: Skate Until 10 PM
The skatepark community’s advocacy has made a real difference! The Charles River Conservancy worked closely with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to implement a pilot program extending the park’s lighting hours from 9 PM to 10 PM. Launched on July 14, 2023, the pilot program’s duration is ongoing and its success is being evaluated by DCR. The CRC remains dedicated to advocating for a permanent extension of the lighting schedule at the Lynch Family Skatepark and will provide updates as they become available. We encourage you to share your feedback on the extended lighting with the CRC at [email protected] so we can relay your experiences to DCR.
Skaters enjoying the Lynch Family Skatepark under the extended evening lights.
“Free Walls Fantasy”: Art, Skateboarding, and Imagination Unleashed
On October 3, 2024, the CRC hosted “Free Walls Fantasy,” a vibrant graffiti art party at the Lynch Family Skatepark! The event welcomed everyone to skate, create art, and learn more about the CRC’s initiatives, including the graffiti Artist-in-Residence program and the Skatepark Advisory Group. Street artist Curtis Williams (@curtistic) led a captivating live painting and creative workshop. As dusk settled, the park glowed with lights, community artwork, new friendships, and positive energy, all fueled by the Thursday skate crew and participating artists.
Another perspective of the artistic activity at "Free Walls Fantasy".
A closer view of the graffiti art being created during the "Free Walls Fantasy".
Community Visioning: The Forum Series
In December 2022, February 2023, and March 2023, the CRC facilitated a series of community visioning forums to collaboratively develop a community-led approach to public art at the skatepark. These forums, organized in partnership with local organizations, provided a platform for open conversations addressing the complex intersections of social, spatial, and environmental justice within the skatepark context.
The CRC and project partners are eager to understand park users’ and visitors’ desires for change, discuss existing inequities, and gather community-sourced ideas for public artwork at the Lynch Family Skatepark that truly represents the community it serves. Stay informed about the project’s next phases by subscribing to our e-newsletter.
Community members participating in a visioning forum at Lynch Family Skatepark.
Social Justice Skate Jam: Action Through Art and Advocacy
The community engagement initiative kicked off on October 6, 2022, with a focus on skatepark users and their perspectives on how the Lynch Family Skatepark could be improved both socially and physically to enhance the overall skate experience. The CRC partnered with the Cambridge Hip-Hop Collective, Community Art Center, LonelyBones Skate Co., and the Chill Foundation to initiate a dialogue on park advocacy and explore how public art can be a catalyst for social resilience and positive change.
Skaters participating in the Social Justice Skate Jam event.
Another view of skaters and community members at the Social Justice Skate Jam.
Our Generous Supporters
This program is made possible in part by grants from Cambridge Arts, a local agency, and the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. We are deeply grateful for the support of these agencies, which enable critical conversations about spatial justice. We also extend our sincere thanks to the following additional funders:
- The Lynch Foundation
- Fuller Foundation, Inc.
- Carol and Paul Fremont-Smith, Jr.
- The Moses Kimball Fund
- Community Art Center
- Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Forward Fund
Interested in supporting public art and spatial justice initiatives at Lynch Family Skatepark? Please contact Laura Jasinski at [email protected].
Dedicated Partners
We are immensely grateful to our partners who have been instrumental in initiating spatial justice conversations and collaborating with the CRC to organize the community visioning forums and shape the future of the Lynch Family Skatepark:
- Cambridge Hip-Hop Collective
- Community Art Center, Cambridge
- Foundry
- Loop Lab
- Agncy
- Rixy Fernandez
- Curtis Williams
- Skatepark Advisory Group
Do you have questions or want to get involved with the Lynch Family Skatepark project? Contact Taylor Leonard at [email protected].
Building a Skatepark Dream: Construction History
The Lynch Family Skatepark represents a major capital project undertaken by the Charles River Conservancy. The initial concept, envisioned by renowned sculptor Nancy Schön, celebrated for her iconic Tortoise and Hare and Make Way For Ducklings sculptures, was championed by the CRC with significant support from the local skateboarding community. (Hear Nancy Schön’s personal perspective on the park’s importance, courtesy of New England Cables News.)
Planning commenced in 2000, and in 2004, the CRC began fundraising efforts, securing contributions from individual donors and foundations. A seed grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation provided initial momentum. Fundraising received a substantial boost in 2007 when the Lynch Foundation offered a $500,000 matching grant, and again in 2014 when the CRC partnered with Vans for a $1.5 million contribution towards construction. The skatepark stands as a testament to the generosity of these major donors and countless other supporters, who are gratefully acknowledged here.
The CRC engaged Stantec for the park’s design, with ValleyCrest Landscape Development overseeing construction and California Skateparks handling specialized skate features. Designed to be “wheel-friendly,” the park accommodates skateboarders, BMX riders, and inline skaters. Spectator access around the skate plaza allows for comfortable viewing of the action. Upon completion, the park’s management was entrusted to the CRC’s project partner, DCR, ensuring its ongoing operation as a public amenity.
Nancy Schön, Mayor Marty Walsh, Renata von Tscharner, and Peter Lynch at the Lynch Family Skatepark opening.
A skateboarder in action at the Lynch Family Skatepark.
The Lynch Family Skatepark’s design benefited from the input of over 400 local skaters and skateboarding professionals, including World Champion Andy MacDonald. This collaborative approach ensured the park’s capacity to host community clinics, events, and even world-class competitions. Skaters of all skill levels can now enjoy street, transition, and bowl elements, including replicas of iconic skate spots throughout the greater Boston area, celebrating local skate history and paying tribute to Boston’s vibrant skating community.
Creating Skate Space from Leslie Tuttle on Vimeo.
This short film by an Emerson College student narrates the story of the Lynch Family Skatepark’s creation and highlights its widespread use by people of all ages in the Boston area today.
In the Press: Lynch Family Skatepark Coverage
Video Coverage of the Skatepark Opening, November 14, 2016
- “Elevating Boston’s Skateboarding Scene” by Stantec
- Cambridge Community Television Coverage
- “Skateboard Paradise” on WCVB Channel 5
- Lynch Foundation and GLP Creative Video
May 1, 2016
- Scout Cambridge: Lynch Family Skatepark Builds a Community On Wheels
November 20, 2015
- Cambridge Chronicle: Skatepark opens in North Point Park
- TransWorld Business: Vans Joins Lynch Family Skatepark at its Opening
- Charlestown Patriot-Bridge: Skatepark Opens, Haven for Those with Wheels
- NewBoston Post: Shredding New Worlds at the Lynch Family Skatepark
November 14, 2015
- NorthEndWaterfront.com: Skaters Rejoice at Opening of Lynch Family Skatepark
- Boston Globe: Lynch Family Skatepark opens in Cambridge
- WBUR, Photos: Designer Tests The Air Over New Skate Park
- On CBS: Renowned Sculptor Helps Make Boston Skatepark a Reality
November 5, 2015
- Press Release: Grand Opening: Lynch Family Skatepark
- Boston Globe: Skateboarders do test run at Lynch Family Skatepark
- On WBUR: ‘Psyched It’s Finally Here’: Long-Awaited Cambridge Skate Park To Open In November
For more information about the Lynch Family Skatepark or press inquiries, please contact us at [email protected].
Lead photo by Clyde Carmant.
