Ideally, the Pier 5 Harbor Park will officially open in time for the Sail Boston, America’s 250 Maritime Celebrations.

Courageous Sailing visions, Veterans, National Park Service, the Pier 5 Association, and the Boston Planning and Development Agency (BPDA)

National Parks Neighborhood

The Pier 5 Association has been communicating with the National Parks Service about design, sense of place retention, continuity, traffic flow and economic benefits for all related abutters.

The presence of a public park at Pier 5 will accommodate and complement tourism, providing additional attractions and amenities that encourage longer stays subsequently spending increase in Charlestown.

Public parks attract visitors, create jobs, enhance property values, and stimulate local businesses, leading to more widespread economic advantages.

Transforming Pier 5 into a public park aligns with the community’s interest in preserving public access, honoring historical significance, and promoting inclusive economic development.

Private development of Public Sacred, Historic, Property as a Mega Yacht Marina serves only a niche market and will not yield the broad-based economic benefits associated with public parks.

Private marina income from and for a finite wealthy clientele for one season per year. Blocking the waterfront all year forever to the public.

The broader socio-economic benefits of a public park—including tourism enhancement, community engagement, and support for local businesses—present a more compelling case for the site’s development.

A Pier 5 Harbor Park would greatly benefit from collaboration with the neighboring Boston National Historical Park, including the USS Constitution and its associated facilities, by creating a seamless sense of place, enhancing historical continuity, and strengthening climate resilience through coordinated flood management efforts.

Joint efforts can engage city officials and funding sources to ensure Pier 5 becomes a community-centered resource.

Public Programming & Community Engagement

Joint events and programs at Pier 5 could bring together the broader Boston community, including:

Free sailing lessons & waterfront activities for Charlestown families.

STEM and maritime education in collaboration with local schools.

Environmental initiatives, such as floating wetlands, harbor clean-ups, and climate resiliency projects.

5. Strengthening the Case for a Unified Waterfront Vision

The BPDA has a vested interest in revitalizing Charlestown’s Navy Yard in a way that serves public interests and climate resilience.

Courageous Sailing and the Pier 5 Association can propose a master plan that incorporates:

A public waterfront park at Pier 5

Improved sailing facilities for Courageous

Climate-friendly design that benefits both the city and local maritime organizations

Next Steps

Charlestown Equitable Pathways to play

Facilitate Meetings: Courageous Sailing, the Pier 5 Association, and BPDA should organize a working group to explore shared interests.

Community Engagement: Host public forums to rally community support and gather input on a Pier 5 vision that benefits all stakeholders.

Develop a Joint Proposal: Create a strategic plan outlining how Pier 5 can support both public park space and an expanded Courageous Sailing presence.

Secure Funding & Partnerships: Identify grants, city funding, and potential donors who align with the mission of public access, youth education, and waterfront revitalization.

This collaboration would ensure Pier 5 remains a public asset while giving Courageous Sailing the opportunity to grow beyond Pier 4, securing a stronger future for its programs and the community it serves.