At Greatful Moments, we believe children learn not only from books and classrooms but also from the world around them. Museums offer families opportunities to explore, discover, and create lasting memories. That’s why we’re sharing news from Boston Children’s Museum about its major Waterfront Resiliency Plan. This project is designed to protect a historic children’s museum from rising sea levels and flooding while creating new opportunities for children and families to learn about nature, climate, and the environment.
Information Source: Boston Children’s Museum, via PR Newswire, August 4, 2026.
Boston Children’s Museum Launches Major Resiliency Project
Bold Waterfront Plan to Shield Museum and Neighborhoods from Rising Flood Risks
BOSTON, August 4, 2026 — Boston Children’s Museum (BCM) announces the launch of Phase 1 of its Waterfront Resiliency Plan with a groundbreaking on Wednesday, August 5. Set on Fort Point Channel, the Museum is one of Boston’s most flood-exposed sites as sea levels rise and storms intensify. The Plan will help protect historic buildings and nearby neighborhoods from future flooding.
Boston Children’s Museum is taking a phased approach that aligns with City and State planning underway. Phase 1 will protect the Museum’s perimeter and its utility systems through 2050, and Phase 2 will transform the Museum’s “front yard” into a waterfront park that will protect the Museum and neighbors through 2070. When all phases of the Plan are complete, flood pathways to the Seaport, South Boston, Roxbury, Dorchester, and the South End will be disrupted.
Boston ranks eighth among major global cities that are most vulnerable to flooding, and the City’s Climate Ready Boston Plan identifies South Boston as highly exposed under all sea-level-rise projections and storm scenarios.
On January 4, 2018, the urgency became clear when Winter Storm Grayson pushed icy floodwaters onto nearby streets and into the Museum. To address the increasing risk, BCM engaged Sasaki, an interdisciplinary design firm, who brought in VHB, ARUP, and others, to provide investigation and analysis, and to ultimately design a plan that not only would protect the Museum and neighboring communities from flooding but would incorporate playful learning opportunities and climate education for young children.
“In response to climate change, the Museum set ambitious goals for its Waterfront Resiliency Plan, a plan that will deepen its connection to the Harbor and natural environment,” said David Healy, Board Chair. “When complete, the Plan will offer BCM visitors a more resilient, accessible, playful, and educational waterfront that supports its mission, vision, and values.”
BCM committed early on to protecting South Boston’s shoreline from sea-level rise. In 2018, with Board and leadership guidance, an Anonymous gift helped Sasaki and engineering partners develop a plan to protect the Museum, Fort Point, and nearby neighborhoods.
BCM has now raised over $15 million and will break ground on Phase 1 this month. Construction will include three key elements:
- Reinforcement of the building envelope to reduce water intrusion
- Below-grade drainage, pumps, and storage to manage floodwater
- Protection and relocation of critical utility systems
Without this work, one severe storm could destroy systems that would take months and millions of dollars to replace, closing the Museum and disrupting critical family services.
Why Now?
Educational Access: BCM welcomes 415,000+ visitors annually, including tens of thousands from underserved communities, making flood closures a major loss of access to play and learning.
Neighborhood Protection: Long-term improvements will help block flood pathways into nearby neighborhoods.
Climate Leadership: BCM will serve as a living laboratory for climate adaptation and real-world solutions.
The Waterfront Resiliency Plan blends climate resilience with immersive learning and play along the Harborwalk and Fort Point Channel. It also supports Harborwalk uses, expands public access to Fort Point Channel and Boston Harbor, and creates new ways to engage with the channel’s environment and marine life.
It will protect the Museum’s 135-year-old building, create a green waterfront park with Harbor access, and improve visitor amenities by adding promontories and “living coastlines” with floating gardens and tide pool habitat, turning the Harbor and cityscape into a vibrant, hands-on setting for leisure, learning, and exploration.
“As one of Boston’s most vulnerable coastal flood pathways, increasing protections along Fort Point Channel is a vital piece of Boston’s broader climate resilience strategy,” said Brian Swett, Chief Climate Officer at the City of Boston. “This project shows how strategic investments and nature-based solutions can safeguard critical infrastructure while expanding vibrant, accessible waterfront space for all Boston families.”
Phase 1 of the Waterfront Resiliency Plan has been generously supported by New Balance, An Anonymous Donor, the Yawkey Foundation, Barbara and Amos Hostetter, the Lovett-Woodsum Foundation, Constance Counts, Cynthia Taft, Glenn and Kathy Murphy, and the Executive Office of Economic Development.
About Boston Children’s Museum
Boston Children’s Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning.
More information about Boston Children’s Museum can be found at www.BostonChildrensMuseum.org.
Hours and Admission
The Museum is open Wednesday–Monday (closed Tuesday) from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Advance tickets and reservations are highly recommended, especially during weekends, holidays, and school vacation weeks.
- Adults: $24
- Children ages 1–15: $24
- Senior citizens: $24
- Children under 12 months: Free
- Museum members: Free
As a family-focused website, we appreciate seeing children’s museums invest in protecting the places where children can learn, play, and explore. Museums are more than buildings filled with exhibits. They give families opportunities to spend time together, ask questions, and discover something new.
What caught our attention about Boston Children’s Museum’s Waterfront Resiliency Plan is that it goes beyond protecting the building. The proposed waterfront park, floating gardens, tide pools, and opportunities to learn about marine life could help children develop a deeper appreciation for the natural world.
We also think it’s important that the project considers the surrounding neighborhoods. Protecting a museum that welcomes more than 415,000 visitors each year, while working to reduce flooding risks for nearby communities, is a significant undertaking. We hope the project continues to move forward successfully and that the new waterfront spaces will give generations of children and families more opportunities to learn, explore, and make memories together.
What do you think about children’s museums incorporating environmental education and climate resilience into their outdoor spaces?
At Greatful Moments, we believe that learning can happen anywhere, especially when families have the opportunity to explore the world together.
Grateful, Thankful, and Blessed.
GreatfulMoments.com
Thank you,
Glenda, David, Charlie & Suzanne Cates
