The Esplanade Association (EPA) has returned from a year of lockdown to offer a full suite of summer activities, including both day-to-day staples like outdoor fitness classes and annual classics like the Moon Dance Gala.

Executive Director Mike Nichols said they’re taking Covid-19 precautions but are confident the park can safely offer a bustling schedule of activities. “We’re facing the same things everybody is facing. We have to be cautious and thoughtful about how we put on events, but we’re looking optimistically at this year, out 20th,” he said. “It will be about the same as it’s been in past years. We’re bringing back about 100% of the events we have in a given summer.” The Association has several major events planned, most returning from previous years. The mid-September Moon Dance Gala, the only major gathering traditionally indoors, has been moved outside to protect against Covid-19.

“Our popular 5k Run will return, along with our tenth annual summer dock party. The Moon Dance Gala will be open-air this year, and we’re looking to bring outdoor concerts back with one or more nights of Groundbeat, our free Riverfront Music Series at the Hatch Shell,” Nichols said. There have been some events canceled due to Covid-19, but Nichols noted he has had no trouble filling the season’s itinerary.

“It was just announced this past week that the Fourth of July concert has been moved out of the park for this year. It might not be the only event that typically happens in the park to not return. But I’ve heard from literally dozens of interested event producers looking to fill any available time on the schedule this summer and fall,” he said.

The Esplanade will also resume smaller-scale activities, including free fitness classes, tours on art, history and the gardens, and as volunteer programs that paint benches, weed gardens or clean the park. Fitness classes will have enough room for social distancing. The tours and volunteer events will take place in small groups, which paired with the outdoor setting should minimize risk of infection. Those who have visited the park in previous years might encounter a new obstacle. The closure of the Arthur Fiedler Footbridge. “It may affect attendance, but at the same time there’s always such a wonderful audience of people in the park that we certainly believe the events will besuccessful,” said Nichols.

He suggested that attendees to events on Fiedler Field make use of the Dartmouth Street Footbridge. The Hatch Shell stage has access both from Dartmouth Street and the Frances Appleton Footbridge.

While the EPA is confident it can put on the events it’s planned, a close eye is being kept on COVID-19 numbers and the advice of city and state officials. Should infection rates rise again, the schedule may change or see programs canceled outright.

The official summer schedule is expected to be published in the coming week, with more detailed information on what events will happen when.