Cambridge Common is a 16-acre historic city park just outside Harvard Square, bounded by Massachusetts Avenue, Garden Street, and Waterhouse Street. It combines open lawns, historic monuments, and the Alexander W. Kemp Playground.
What to expect
Parking
Free lot $1.00/hour, typically 2-hour limit
Hours
City parks keep extended hours of dawn to 10 p.m. from April 1 to October 31, with shorter hours the rest of the year
Accessibility
Pathways were rehabilitated citywide with new paved surfaces, lighting, and drainage; the Kemp Playground includes a ground-level merry-go-round designed for wheelchair access
Walking And Cycling On Paved Paths
Allowed year-round
Permitted Public Events And Gatherings
Allowed year-round
Reservable Playing Field Use
Allowed year-round
Managed by
Cambridge Department of Public Works, Parks Division
617-349-4885 · WebsiteGetting in
Parking
Free lot
Cost$1.00/hour, typically 2-hour limit
What's here
On site
Playground
The Alexander W. Kemp Playground sits within Cambridge Common (renovated 2009): hills, valleys, and slides built into the landscape, a crank-operated water cascade over a sand play area, a toddler swing set, a multidirectional dish swing,…
Restroom
No restroom on site; the nearest public restroom is a 24/7 public toilet in Harvard Square, about a 2-minute walk away
Benches
Lawns and benches throughout the Common
Historic Monuments
Several historic monuments and memorials on the Common
Common questions
Is Cambridge Common free to visit?
Yes, it's a public city park with no entry fee.
Is there a playground at Cambridge Common?
Yes, the Alexander W. Kemp Playground sits inside the Common and includes water play, a sand area, swings, and a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round.
Are dogs allowed at Cambridge Common?
Dogs are allowed on leash. The Common isn't one of the city's off-leash or shared-hours parks.
What T stop is closest to Cambridge Common?
Harvard Square station on the MBTA Red Line, about two blocks away.
Where do I park at Cambridge Common?
Free lot ($1.00/hour, typically 2-hour limit).
Is there an entry fee at Cambridge Common?
Yes, free
Can I bring my dog to Cambridge Common?
Dogs are allowed. Leash rules and clean-up requirements usually apply, so check posted signs.
Is Cambridge Common wheelchair accessible?
Pathways were rehabilitated citywide with new paved surfaces, lighting, and drainage; the Kemp Playground includes a ground-level merry-go-round designed for wheelchair access
What rules should I know at Cambridge Common?
Dogs must be kept on leash; the Common is not a designated off-leash area.