City of Cambridge Department of Public Works (Official)

05/08/2026

Join the Cambridge Public Library and the City of Cambridge Department of Public Works (Official) as we host our next Fix-It Clinic this Saturday! 🔨✅

- Saturday, May 9, 2026
- 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- The Hive at the Main Library (449 Broadway)

Since 2014, the City has coordinated Fix-It Clinics for the community. These events are important in our zero-waste efforts, encouraging people to think about reducing and reusing items before throwing them away. Since then, hundreds of items including electronics, appliances, clothing, and bikes have been fixed and kept from being trashed or scrapped. 🧵♻️

Learn more and register here: https://camb.ma/3PereWa

05/06/2026

🌳 Celebrate Arbor Week in Cambridge – Tomorrow, Thursday, May 7! 🎧

Join the Cambridge Department of Public Works and Cambridge sound artist, Skooby Laposky, at Joan Lorentz Park for a one-of-a-kind, tree-inspired experience in front of the Main Library.

Explore two interactive sound installations:
🔊 Tree Hugging Studies – “listen deeply” to the sounds of nature by tuning into amplified interactions with the Copper Beech tree
🎶 Verdant Ear – create your own soundscape using a mobile web app powered by microphones placed throughout the park

🕙 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

There’s even more to enjoy throughout the day:
🍃 Bark Rub Activity – use crayons and paper to create bark rubbings and discover the unique textures of local trees
🍵 Tree Tea Tastings – sample birch bark tea and linden flower/leaf tea
📖 Toddler Story Time (11 a.m.) – join librarians for a tree-themed story outside the library
🌳 Elm “Cookie” Display – see a cross-section of a 100-year-old elm tree

Come explore, listen, and connect with Cambridge’s urban forest in a whole new way! https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/publicworks/news/2026/04/cambridgecelebratesarborweekmay48

05/04/2026

This spring, Cambridge residents celebrated our urban forest by sharing messages about their favorite trees. With their permission, we’ve selected some of our favorites for you to enjoy. Reading through the submissions was a true pleasure—it's clear how much care and enthusiasm our community brings to the urban forest.

Click any photo to enlarge it. If multiple images are available, use the arrows on either side of the picture to move through the gallery.

Stories and poems about Cambridge residents' favorite trees

04/28/2026

04/28/2026

The City of Cambridge is working with the City of Somerville and the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) and improve water quality in the Alewife Brook, Upper Mystic River, and the Charles River.

A CSO happens during heavy rain, when stormwater
and sewage mix and overflow into nearby rivers and streams.

A Draft Updated Combined Sewer Overflow Control Plan for Alewife Brook, Upper Mystic River, and Charles River will be published on April 30, 2026. Review the Plan and share your comments by September 30, 2026 at www.cambridgema.gov/cso

04/08/2026

Did you know that phosphorus-based fertilizers from your lawn can harm plants and animals in our waterways? Limit your fertilizer this spring to keep our waterways healthy!

03/30/2026

Don't forget! Street Cleaning and Yard Waste Collection Resume on Wednesday, April 1. It's essential for residents to move their vehicles according to the posted street cleaning schedule to ensure thorough cleaning of our City streets. Parking tickets of $100 will be issued to those who do not move their vehicles.

Ever wonder how street sweeping works and why it matters? 🧹
Take a peek into the City’s program ⤵️

Cambridge removes over 1,400 tons of debris every year through its street cleaning program. During fall leaf season, the workload doubles as crews collect mo...

03/03/2026

The calm after the storm ❄️

One of Cambridge’s snow farms, pictured here, reaches nearly 40 feet high at some points — a powerful reminder of just how much snow our crews move off city streets during major storms.

Photos courtesy of Cambridge resident and photographer John McMahon.

02/23/2026

DPW Snow Operations Update – February 23, 2026 8 a.m.

It is white, wet, and very windy out there. Snow and strong winds are expected to continue throughout the day, with periods of very poor visibility.

A Blizzard Warning remains in effect, and travel conditions are extremely difficult and potentially dangerous.

🚜 Our DPW crews are fully deployed with nearly 200 pieces of equipment actively working to clear and treat roads, bike lanes and public spaces.

🚫 Reminder: Curbside collections for trash, recycling, and food waste are canceled today. All collections will be delayed one day for the remainder of the week.

We strongly urge residents to:
❄️Please stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary
❄️Give plow operators plenty of space
❄️Be patient as crews continue around-the-clock operations

For all things snow visit: www.cambridgema.gov/snow

02/23/2026

❗️Curbside collection of trash, recycling and food waste is canceled for Monday, February 23, 2026.

Curbside collection will be delayed by one day the remainder of the week.

For the latest snow impacts visit www.cambridgema.gov/snow