Coastal climate resilience, vibrant and welcoming waterfront, Harborwalk, and islands are top priorities for decade ahead
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOSTON (April 1, 2026) – Boston Harbor Now, a leading nonprofit organization devoted to promoting a vibrant, accessible, and resilient Boston Harbor, waterfront, and the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park, this month marks the 10th anniversary of its founding as it prepares for a historic summer of celebration on the waterfront, including the nation’s 250th anniversary festivities, World Cup, and Sail Boston Tall Ships visit.
Over the decade since its launch via the April 2016 merger of The Boston Harbor Association and the Boston Harbor Islands Alliance, Boston Harbor Now has led efforts to expand, improve, and promote public awareness of the Harborwalk, which now provides public access along 43 of the 47 miles of Boston’s coastline. Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Boston, executed last year, Boston Harbor Now serves as the lead nonprofit steward of the Harborwalk.
We now know that more people visit Boston’s waterfront than the Freedom Trail, according to a pioneering visitation study Boston Harbor Now completed last year. With 11 million visits, it is comparable to the top-five U.S. national parks. Boston Harbor Now oversees many efforts throughout the year to support visitation to the harbor and its islands, including successfully advocating for expanded water transportation services, securing funding for reduced fares, “Free Ferry Days”, and Community Cruises. Boston Harbor Now brings tens of thousands of Boston residents to the Boston Harbor through neighborhood-based education and recreation programs.
Boston Harbor Now is also taking a leading role in helping the city and region prepare for rising sea levels, coastal flooding, and other impacts of climate change. Key to that work is its Harborwalk 2.0 design guidelines that offer a vision for raising and strengthening the waterfront pathway while continuing to ensure the harborfront is accessible and welcoming to all. In partnership with the University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston Harbor Now co-sponsors and helps staff the Stone Living Lab, a leading national research organization promoting nature-based approaches to coastal resiliency and climate adaptation.
“Boston Harbor Now was born out of a shared commitment to make our harbor a clean, accessible, and welcoming destination for all. Boston Harbor Now’s work over the past decade connecting communities to the Harbor and advocating for a more resilient future has strengthened one of the city’s greatest assets. I look forward to their continued leadership in helping residents and visitors experience and protect our harbor.” — Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper
“Boston Harbor Now has led the way in helping show that the harbor, waterfront, and islands aren’t just beautiful and defining elements of our landscape–they provide tremendous economic and public health benefits for the entire state and region that can continue to grow for decades to come.’’ – Bob Delhome, CEO, Charter Contracting Company
“Over the past decade, Boston Harbor Now has established itself as the indispensable advocate and champion for ensuring our waterfront, harbor, and islands remain vital, resilient, and welcoming to all. They’re a national model for how to build a transformational coalition—working across the public, private, and non-profit sectors—to protect and promote the places we cherish the most.” – Kate Dineen, President & CEO, A Better City
Boston Harbor Now President and CEO Kathy Abbott said, “It’s inspiring for our board, staff, and community of supporters to celebrate this milestone birthday and reflect on all we’ve helped to achieve. What’s even more inspiring is the work ahead of us to build on our success and bring millions more people, from all backgrounds, to enjoy the harbor, waterfront, and islands, all while doing the work of protecting communities and people from the impacts of climate change.’’
“Over the decade ahead and beyond, we want to help lead the way on creating a Climate Ready Plan for the Harbor Islands, beautiful and treasured places to visit that are also our city and region’s first line of defense against rising seas,’’ Abbott said. “We’ll continue playing a supportive role in the revitalization of Moakley Park for improved recreation and flood protection for the residents of South Boston and beyond. We will also keep advocating for more, and clean-energy-powered, water transportation linking destinations up and down Boston Harbor and neighboring cities. We’ve got big and exciting work ahead.”
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About Boston Harbor Now
Boston Harbor Now works in partnership with public agencies, communities, and private and nonprofit partners to ensure a vibrant, accessible, and resilient Boston Harbor, waterfront, and islands. From ferries and festivals to climate planning and park access, Boston Harbor Now connects people to the Harbor and works to protect it for future generations.
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