Charles River Esplanade

[1] Storrow Drive, a limited-access parkway, forms the southern boundary of the Esplanade, a scenic park along the Charles River, which marks its northern edge.

The Storrow Memorial Embankment, designed by Arthur Shurcliff, added the first lagoon, boat landings, plazas, playgrounds, and the Music Oval,[3] where a temporary bandshell was placed.

The Hatch Shell also hosts free public concerts and movies, and special events—walkathons, races, and festivals such as Earth Day—that draw hundreds of thousands of additional spectators each year.

To make up for park land lost to the new road, additional islands including multiple paths were built along the Esplanade, also designed by Arthur Shurcliff and his son Sydney.

This 18-mile (29 km) loop travels along the entire basin on both the north and south banks of the river, and makes it especially suitable for biking, inline skating, and running.