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Photos: ‘Gronk Playground’ opens on the Esplanade
A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new playground was held Tuesday.
Rob Gronkowski was recovering from an injury at Mass. General Hospital during his days with the New England Patriots when he spied the Charlesbank Playground below on the Esplanade. Looking out at the space every day during his stay at the hospital, he thought it would be a good spot for an “awesome playground” and kept the idea in the back of his mind as his career continued.
On Tuesday, the beloved former tight end celebrated the opening of a new playground — the Gronk Playground — on the very site he noticed years before. The new playground has “Gronk spike energy” built into it, along with the spirit of Boston as a city of champions, he said during a ribbon cutting ceremony
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A visibly emotional Gronkowski told attendees that, after his retirement, he began thinking of ways to give back to Boston and the fans of New England who provided “love and support” throughout his career. He recalled how playing outside as a kid shaped who he became as an athlete.
“It’s amazing now to give something back to the kids and the families here,” he said. “To help create the same kind of opportunities that I had as a kid.”
The playground, between Storrow Drive and the Charles River, includes custom-built play features that pay homage to Boston landmarks, such as the Zakim Bridge, and traditions, like the Boston Marathon.
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At its center is a huge football-shaped climbing structure — a tribute to the Gronk spike — and slide, which both Gronkowski and Gov. Maura Healey tested out on Tuesday. The structure includes quotes from champion athletes, including David Ortiz, Tom Brady, Gabby Thomas, Aly Raisman, Venus Williams, and David Pastrnak.
The ADA accessible playground was funded with nearly $2 million raised by the Gronk Nation Youth Foundation, with additional support from the Esplanade Association and Massachusetts Department of Conservation.
Healey spoke to attendees about the “unrelenting joy and enthusiasm” the former Patriots player brings to everything he does.
“Rob Gronkowski is a legend, we adore him for so many reasons,” she said. “All of his exploits on the field and certainly all of his contributions off the field, which he did some amazing things on the field, but as remarkable [is] what he continues to do off the field.”
His spirit and joy, she said, is evidenced in the new playground unveiled Tuesday.
“I hope everybody has a chance to go see it,” she said.
See photos and videos from the Gronk Playground’s opening below:
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