Advocates for increased public access to the lower Charles River in Massachusetts are hailing Harvard University’s agreement to pay for the design, construction, and maintenance of a 200-foot floating dock in Brighton that will allow all boaters, anglers, paddlers, and rowers to enjoy the river. In exchange, Harvard’s permit to operate and upgrade its two historic, private-access boating facilities along the Charles will be renewed by the state.

“We applaud Harvard and [the Department of Environmental Protection] for this terrific outcome,” Emily Norton, Executive Director of the Charles River Watershed Association, wrote in a statement. “The public gets enhanced access to the Charles River, which is protected under Massachusetts’ Public Waterfront Act, and collegiate rowers and recreational boaters alike will be able to use and enjoy the river—a win-win.”

The new dock will be located at Christian Herter Park and is expected to open in 2026. The price tag for the project is expected to be around $650,000.

Learn more about public access rowing on the Charles River in this short film!