WELCOME TO THE SKATEPARK
In 2015, the Charles River Conservancy celebrated the opening of the Lynch Family Skatepark in North Point Park in Cambridge, a project that the CRC led the planning, design and construction of. The CRC remains grateful to the many donors who made the skatepark possible!
Fast forward to today: the park, owned and maintained by the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), hosts a vibrant community of skate park athletes, creatives, and recreational visitors. Led by ideas from the skate community, the CRC established a public art process at the skatepark.
LOCATION
The skatepark is located in East Cambridge beneath the access ramps to I-93’s iconic Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge. It is also adjacent to the North Bank Bridge, a pedestrian bridge connecting North Point Park in Cambridge to Paul Revere Park in Charlestown.
A NOTE ABOUT PARK OPERATION: The Lynch Family Skatepark is owned and maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). The park is open from dawn to 10:00 pm. Lights were installed during the fall of 2018 to allow for park operation past dusk through a partnership between the City of Cambridge and DCR. Safety gear is strongly encouraged, and while you are in the park, you are recreating at your own risk. Contact DCR at mass.parks@mass.gov for park-related questions and concerns.
PUBLIC BATHROOMS OPEN TO ALL EVERY DAY
Hours: 7am-7pm daily (ring the bell!)
Skaters and park visitors are legally entitled access to public restrooms within the EF Education First building (2 Education Circle, Cambridge) under Chapter 91 (Massachusetts Public Waterfront Act). There is one set of bathrooms in the main lobby and more bathrooms near the Lingo restaurant area. Access the bathrooms through the front entrance (shown); if the doors are locked, press the intercom button and building security will buzz you in.
The intercom is located by the main entrance. If the building is open and the doors are unlocked, you can just walk on in and ask to use the bathroom. If the doors are locked, you are empowered to ring the bell!
When on-site restaurant Lingo is open (check hours on website and their Instagram), you can enter the building through the business doors and easily access the restaurant bathrooms from there.
Refer to EF Education First (aka Efekta House) License/Permit Number 13306 (excerpt shown):
Find Chapter 91 Spaces Near You with MassDEP’s License Viewer
FREE PUBLIC COMMUNITY MEETING SPACES
See Available Spaces & Booking Request Form
Please note: Requesting and booking a space is 100% free. Despite the website’s branding as “North Point Catering,” catering services are optional and not required to booking a public community space.
Skaters and park visitors are legally entitled access to public meeting spaces within the EF Education First building (2 Education Circle, Cambridge) under Chapter 91 (Massachusetts Public Waterfront Act). Space usage is subject to availability and requests are not guaranteed until confirmed through EF. Email Boston.Events@ef.com with questions.
Conference Room | Capacity: 25 | AV and Catering Available
Event Space | Capacity: 250 | AV and Catering Available
Semi-Private Event Space | Catering Available
Semi-Private Event Space | Catering Available
FREE WALLS: Artists are always welcome year-round to paint on the free walls at Lynch! The CRC’s Graffiti Artist-in-Residence and Free Wall Program is possible through a combination of permits from various agencies and the support of key partners. The CRC has secured a permit from DCR and MassDOT for the painting of the skatepark and the pillars.
Why does the Lynch Family Skatepark require multiple permits?
The Lynch Family Skatepark requires multiple permits because it is a multi-jurisdictional space, meaning that different government agencies oversee different parts of the park. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) manages the skateable surfaces, while the Department of Transportation (MassDOT) oversees the columns and highway underpass. Each agency has its own policies and approval processes.
Why are there community guidelines?
Community guidelines are in place to satisfy the requirements of permits from DCR and MassDOT, and also to ensure that any creative expression at the skatepark is done respectfully and responsibly. The guidelines also encourage sharing of artwork and shared space for both skaters and artists.
Graffiti/Street Artist-in-Residence Program
The annual Graffiti/Street Artist-in-Residence (May–September) at Lynch Family Skatepark invites local talent to create site-specific work, connect with skaters, and help shape an inclusive, evolving creative space. This residency is part of CRC’s dedication to spatial justice and community co-design—shaping shared spaces that reflect and uplift all who use them.
Thank you for your interest! The application deadline has passed. Selected 2026 Artist(s) will be notified by early April 2026.
The Artist-in-Residence program at the Lynch Family Skatepark is a pilot initiative that advances the Charles River Conservancy’s mission to engage in community advocacy and park stewardship. If you’re interested in supporting, donating, or learning more about its development, learn more about our public art process.
Mar and SOEMS of AOA Supply, 2025 Graffiti Artists-in-Residence, showcase an original piece at Lynch Family Skatepark with DCR’s Ryan Hutton and CRC’s Taylor Leonard
Follow on Instagram @CharlesRiverConservancy for the latest updates and announcements.
Skatepark Advisory Group
Members of our Skatepark Advisory Group (SkAG) are compensated to help guide the future of our public art mission at the Charles River Conservancy and help select this year’s Graffiti Artist-in-Residence at Lynch Family Skatepark.
Introducing the skaters, artists, and art administrators of SkAG 2026!
SKATEPARK HAPPENINGS
- Public Art Process + Press
- Project Goals
- Skate Scene Spotlight
- Lights Extended Until 10pm
- Skate, Paint, Imaginate Series
- Forum Series
- Social Justice Skate Jam
PUBLIC ART PROCESS
The Charles River Conservancy is excited to pursue an opportunity to support this park using public art as a conduit for social and spatial resilience. With the goal of strengthening the park’s physical and social infrastructure, the CRC has embarked on a community-led design process that will culminate into a public artwork that celebrates park users and invites new audiences to the riverfront. This exciting program builds on years of engagement with feedback from over 200 park users, including our Public Art Forum Series, the Social Justice Skate Jam, and our partnership with consulting firm Agncy. With DCR’s support, we are turning the community-led vision for public art into a reality.
We’ve co-created an Artist-in-Residence Program to support the engaged community and reinforce the park’s value as a desirable, safe, and inclusive place for skaters, artists, and creatives alike. Read the 2026 Call for Art and learn more about the Artist-in-Residence program and the vision, timeline, and studies that informed our process (PDF).
PRESS
Boston Globe (May 13, 2025): A Cambridge skatepark has a message for graffiti artists: Come spray paint here (+ video)
PROJECT GOALS
- Produce art in tandem with community co-leaders that is reflective of the skatepark and its community.
- Support physical space by fostering a sense of shared responsibility for its care.
- Enhance spatial resiliency of the park by opening dialogue among users that can ensure the skatepark is a welcoming space for all.
Enabled by the CRC, a skatepark advisory group designed and led by skaters, artists, and art administrators puts form to the investment that skaters are already making in the park. We seek a balance of community voices, lived experiences, and professional arts knowledge to ensure the group feels the most representative of the skate community and tuned into local public arts processes. We value representation from folks who identify as BIPOC, queer, women, transgender, nonbinary and/or disabled. The invitation is open to all ages, and we encourage folx with varied backgrounds and skills to apply. Individuals who are selected to join will be compensated for their time and expertise.
“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
The best way to know what’s going on at Lynch Family Skatepark is to make skate friends! We’re a big fan of local skate collectives that bring skaters together for social events and meetups.
Many of these skate groups are open to beginners, making it easy for anyone to join in, no matter your level of ability or wheels of choice. Follow along on social media to stay in the loop on upcoming events. Start here:
- @saps_boston: SAPS (Saturday Aggressive Park Skate)
- @skatehags: Skate Hags
- @sk8bos: SkateBoston
- @okboston_: OK Boston
- @nobladingbostonchapter: No Blading/Only Flames
- @lonelybonesskateco: LonelyBones
“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 supports the local skate community and we regularly highlight the skate scene on Instagram. Do you know of a skater or skater group we should feature in an upcoming skate scene spotlight? DM us!
LIGHTS EXTENDED UNTIL 10PM
The skatepark community’s advocacy efforts have made a positive impact! The Charles River Conservancy worked closely with the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to initiate a pilot program, extending the park lighting hours from 9-10pm. The pilot program began on July 14, 2023, and its length is currently open. Its progress and impact will be assessed by DCR. Moving forward, the CRC remains committed to advocating for a permanent extension of the lighting schedule at the park and will share updates as available. During this time, please share your thoughts about the extended lighting with the CRC so that we can share this feedback with DCR: tleonard@thecharles.org.
SKATE, PAINT, IMAGINATE SERIES
Free to Be Gallery Show
From January 20 through March 6, 2026, the Charles River Conservancy teamed up with the Multicultural Arts Center to present Free to Be: Skate, Paint, Imaginate, an exhibition celebrating the art, movement, and culture of the Lynch Family Skatepark community.
Featured artists: Pau Avila, Tim Barber, Thompson Bond, Lynx Fabian, Cam Heisner, Tucker Horan, Sherwin Long, Tyler Nixon, Tristan Olsen, Matt Ringler, Sarette Tilton
Featured on The Culture Show, GBH News (segment begins at 21:57):
TAGGED OUT
On Sept. 25, 2025, we were honored to celebrate the public art success of this first year of our Graffiti Artists-in-Residence program. Shoutout to all that dropped by, caught a vibe, and left their mark within the vibrant, diverse, community at the skatepark. At this all-ages, drop-in celebration of street art, music, and movement, attendees got creative with live-painting workshops by 2025 Artists-in-Residence AOA Supply, danced to the groovy beats of A Trike Called Funk, and joined roller skater Tati Candela for a free skate clinic.
FLIPPING THE SCRIPT
On May 17, 2025, we kicked off the Graffiti Artist-in-Residence Launch Party in partnership with Save the Harbor‘s Beats On The Beach Program! The community celebrated with live painting by AOA Supply; refreshments from Z-n-Z Slushies; live sets from DJ TROY Frost, DJ Rayvino, and 1800ShortKing; community vendors LESN, No Rhyme or Reason, and Arte Por Un Mundo Cuir; and plenty of creative energy to spare. Cans of spray paint and oodles of encouragement were provided for anyone and everyone to leave their art mark on the skatepark 🔥
FREE WALLS FANTASY
On October 3, 2024, the CRC threw a graffiti art party! Everyone was welcome to hang out, skate, and paint while learning more about the CRC, the graffiti Artist-in-Residence program, and the Skatepark Advisory Group. Street artist Curtis Williams (@curtistic) led a live painting & creative workshop, and the lights glowed as the sun set upon the Thursday skate crew alongside community artwork, new friends, and good vibes. 🦄
FORUM SERIES
The CRC hosted a series of community visioning forums in December 2022, February 2023, and March 2023 to develop a community-driven process for a public artwork. These forums are designed in partnership with local organizations to engage the wider community in open conversations that address the complexities of social, spatial, and environmental justice at the skatepark.
The CRC and project partners are eager to listen to park users and visitors’ preferences for change, discuss place-based inequities, and gather community-sourced perspectives for a possible public artwork at the Lynch Family Skatepark that represents the community which designed it. Follow our e-newsletter to stay updated on the next phase of the project.
SOCIAL JUSTICE SKATE JAM
The community engagement kick off on October 6, 2022, centered skatepark users and their feedback on how the Lynch Family Skatepark can be improved socially and physically to better support the skate experience. The CRC partnered with the Cambridge Hip-Hop Collective, Community Art Center, LonelyBones Skate Co., and the Chill Foundation to join a dialogue on park advocacy and cultivate ideas about how public art can be used as a conduit for social resilience.
SUPPORTERS
We are thankful to current and past funders that have made spatial justice conversations and the Artist-in-Residence program possible:
The Lynch Foundation
Fuller Foundation, Inc.
Carol and Paul Fremont-Smith, Jr.
The Moses Kimball Fund
Community Art Center
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Forward Fund
City of Cambridge Community Preservation Act Funds
Uplifting Graffiti and Street Art at the Lynch Family Skatepark is supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ Public Art for Spatial Justice program, with funding from the Barr Foundation and the Fund for the Arts at NEFA.
This program has been supported in part by a grant from Cambridge Arts, a local agency which is supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Interested in supporting public art and spatial justice? Contact Laura Jasinski at ljasinski@thecharles.org.
PARTNERS
We are grateful to our partners who have joined initial spatial justice conversations and have openly engaged with the CRC to organize next steps in developing community visioning forums.
Cambridge Hip-Hop Collective
Community Art Center, Cambridge
Foundry
Loop Lab
Agncy
Rixy Fernandez
Curtis Williams
Skatepark Advisory Group
Have a question or want to get involved? Contact Taylor Leonard, tleonard@thecharles.org.
CONSTRUCTING THE LYNCH FAMILY SKATEPARK
The Lynch Family Skatepark was a major capital project of the Charles River Conservancy. What began as an idea by renowned sculptor Nancy Schön, famous for her Tortoise and Hare and Make Way For Ducklings sculptures in Copley Square and the Boston Public Garden respectively, was carried forward by the CRC with major support from the local skateboarding community. (Hear from Nancy herself about the importance of this park, courtesy of New England Cables News.)
The planning began in 2000, and in 2004, the CRC began to raise funds from individual donors and foundations for the project. Fundraising for the Lynch Family Skatepark began with a seed grant from the Tony Hawk Foundation. Fundraising was given a major boost in 2007 when the Lynch Foundation put up a matching grant of $500,000, and in 2014 when the CRC signed a partnership agreement with Vans for $1.5M towards construction. The skatepark would not exist without the help of these major donors and countless other supporters, whICH you can see here.
The CRC hired Stantec to design the park, which was then constructed by ValleyCrest Landscape Development with specialty work completed by California Skateparks. The “wheel-friendly” park is designed to accommodate skateboarders, BMX riders, and inline skaters and will include access around the skate plaza for spectators who wish to watch the athletes in action. Once construction was completed, the park has been turned over to the CRC’s project partner, DCR, who manages the public facility.
Photo of Sculptor Nancy Schön, Mayor Marty Walsh, CRC Founder Renata von Tscharner, and Peter Lynch of the Lynch Foundation at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the opening of the Lynch Family Skatepark. Photo by Topher Baldwin.
The skatepark, designed by more than 400 local skaters and skateboarding professionals, including World Champion Andy MacDonald, has the capacity to support community clinics, events, and world-class competitions. Thanks to their involvement, skateboarders of all abilities have the opportunity to experience street, transitional, and bowl elements including replica features of unique skate areas throughout greater Boston to acknowledge local lore and pay homage to Boston’s skating community.
Creating Skate Space from Leslie Tuttle on Vimeo.
An Emerson student tells the story of the formation of the idea of the Lynch Family Skatepark and showcases its wide usage today by people of all ages in the Boston area.
PRESS
Scout Cambridge (May/June 2016): Lynch Family Skatepark Builds a Community On Wheels
Lynch Foundation & GLP Creative (Feb. 2, 2016): Lynch Family Skatepark Opening
Stantec (Jan. 14, 2016): Elevating Boston’s Skateboarding Scene
WCVB Channel 5 (Dec. 24, 2015): Skateboard Paradise
Cambridge Community Television (Dec 14, 2015) : The Lynch Family Skatepark Opening
Charlestown Patriot-Bridge (Nov. 19, 2015): Skatepark Opens, Haven for Those with Wheels
Cambridge Chronicle (Nov. 18, 2015): Skatepark opens in North Point Park
Transworld Skateboarding (Nov. 17, 2015): Vans Joins Lynch Family Skatepark at its Opening
NewBostonPost (Nov. 16. 2015): Shredding New Worlds at the Lynch Family Skatepark
NorthEndWaterfront.com (Nov. 14, 2015): Skaters Rejoice at Opening of Lynch Family Skatepark
Boston Globe (Nov. 14, 2015): Lynch Family Skatepark opens in Cambridge
WBUR (Nov. 13, 2015): Photos: Designer Tests The Air Over New Skate Park
WBZ News (Nov. 13, 2015): Renowned Sculptor Helps Make Boston Skatepark a Reality
Press Release (Nov. 5, 2015): Grand Opening: Lynch Family Skatepark
Boston Globe (Nov. 4, 2015) : Skateboarders do test run at Lynch Family Skatepark
WBUR (Oct. 27, 2015): ‘Psyched It’s Finally Here’: Long-Awaited Cambridge Skate Park To Open In November
To learn more about the skatepark or to make a press inquiry, please contact us at crc@thecharles.org.
Lead photo by Clyde Carmant.