With creativity, the downtown waterfront can be both more resilient and more attractive and engaging as a public gathering place.

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The recent deep dive into the steps Boston is taking to protect its waterfront from rising sea levels and storm surges nicely captured the focus Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and many waterfront businesses and institutions have placed on this issue. What was missing was the opportunity to reimagine the downtown waterfront to make it accessible to all while addressing climate resiliency. Despite being a city known for its historic connections to the sea, private buildings that ring the harbor prevent waterfront access for many Bostonians.

With creativity, the downtown waterfront can be both more resilient and more attractive and engaging as a public gathering place. As a non-profit with an ocean conservation mission, the New England Aquarium is reimagining our waterfront home on Central Wharf with these goals in mind. We hope that the future vision for our waterfront is one of public benefit, not private profit.

Vikki N. Spruill

President and CEO

New England Aquarium