About
About Paddle Boston
Charles River Recreation is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible outdoor recreational opportunities in the Boston, Massachusetts metropolitan area. Today we operate Charles River Canoe & Kayak (offering canoe, kayak and paddleboard sales, classes, guided trips, and multiple rental locations), Weston Ski Track (located at the Leo J. Martin Golf Course in Weston and offering cross-country skiing and instruction on groomed, lighted trails), and Kendall Square Community Ice Skating (a refrigerated, Zamboni-maintained ice skating rink in Kendall Square, Cambridge).
Charles River Canoe & Kayak
The Charles River Canoe Service, now called Charles River Canoe & Kayak or Paddle Boston began in 1973 using the basement of the MDC Norumbega Police Substation in Newton. In concert with the Charles River Watershed Association, whose focus on bettering the quality of the river brought incredible improvements, we brought boating back to the Charles River and have consistently encouraged and advocated for public access and recreational use of the river.
Weston Ski Track
We opened the Weston Ski Track at the DCR’s Leo Martin Golf Course in 1974. We offer night skiing, rentals, instruction and snow making along the scenic banks of the Charles River only one mile away from the Riverside T station!
Kendall Square Community Ice Skating
During the winter of 2006-2007 we partnered with Kendall Square Corporation to operate their new ice skating rink in Cambridge, Kendall Square Community Ice Skating. The rink’s mission, like all our operations, is to make outdoor recreation accessible to more people. The rink offers ice skating on a refrigerated and Zamboni-maintained surface, skate rentals, lessons, and a snack bar to warm any cold feet at the end of your skate.
Charles River Canoe & Kayak Expansion
In order to make outdoor paddlesports recreation more accessible, we have added a number of boat rental/instructional centers in cooperation with the Department of Conservation and Recreation, the City of Newton, the City of Somerville, and other important partners. We are honored to continue to offer Boston's diverse population the opportunity to enjoy the Charles River.
Universal Access
The Department of Conservation and Recreation's Universal Access Program provides outdoor recreation opportunities in Massachusetts State Parks for visitors of all abilities. Along with the Universal Access Program, we are committed to providing accessible recreation at all of our Summer and Winter programs. We offer reduced price boating season passes for people with disabilities, have specialized equipment available at some of our locations, and offer specialized instruction for people with physical and intellectual disabilities. Please contact us with any questions.The Future
We will continue to bring affordable outdoor recreation to residents of the Greater Boston area, and hope that you'll join us in our quest to get more people outside using and enjoying our amazing natural resources so these resources can be preserved and protected. We'll see you on the water, on the snow, or on the ice!