City Manager be and is hereby requested to work with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to explore the feasibility of keeping Riverbend Park open beyond

CAL-2 O-8

The COVID-19 pandemic has reduced opportunities for residents to get fresh air and spend time outdoors while safely socially distancing; and

This can be even more challenging for the many Cambridge residents, including lower- income residents, who do not have access to yards or private outdoor space; and

Spending time outdoors has been proven to improve mental and physical health and has been deemed a lower-risk activity during the pandemic; and

The Cambridge City Council passed a policy order in April that led to Riverbend Park being opened on Memorial Drive on both Saturdays and Sundays, which has provided an opportunity for residents to spend time outside while safely social distancing; and

Riverbend Park, which is owned and operated by Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is currently scheduled to be open on Memorial Drive through Sunday, November 29, 2020; and

Keeping Riverbend Park open beyond November 29 would provide a much-needed opportunity for residents to spend safe, socially distant time outdoors as the colder weather begins to make some other activities more challenging; now therefore be it

That the City Manager be and is hereby requested to work with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to explore the feasibility of keeping Riverbend Park open beyond November 29; and be it further

That the city confer with DCR and advocate for extending Riverbend Park the length of Memorial Drive; and further be it

That the City or DCR collect data on residents’ usage of Riverbend Park to better inform future decisions regarding its status; and be it further

That the City Manager report back to the City Council by November 23, 2020.

In City Council November 23, 2020. Order Adopted as Amended by a yea and nay vote:-

Yeas 7; Nays 2; Absent 0

Attest:- Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk

A true copy;

ATTEST:- Anthony I. Wilson, City Clerk

History: 11/16/20

City Council

CHARTER RIGHT

Next: 11/23/20