The Parks

Back Bay Fens

With the Back Bay Fens, Olmsted's challenge was to restore a saltwater marsh to ecological health. Devoting himself to combining landscape transformation with sanitary engineering, he turned a foul-smelling tidal creek and swamp that periodically flooded into "scenery of a winding, brackish creek, within wooded banks; gaining interest from the meandering course of the water."

The Fens, the first park in the Emerald Necklace system, has changed over time. The damming of the Charles River in 1910 turned the area into a freshwater marsh. Noted landscape architect Arthur Shurcliff added new features such as The Kelleher Rose Garden and ball fields, employing the more formal landscape style popular in the 1920s and 1930s.

Within the Fens is the oldest remaining wartime "Victory Garden" (1941) planted by citizens. Today it is a well-loved Community Garden of flowers and vegetables. A favorite picnic site for local residents, the World War II, Vietnam and Korean War Memorial, can be found tucked behind the Kelleher Rose Garden. The playground at Mother's Rest is also a perfect spot for children to come and play after school or on the weekend.

Park Features:

Basketball Courts
Baseball Fields
Running Track
Kelleher Rose Garden
Community Gardens
World War II, Vietnam and Korean War Memorial
O'Reilly Statue
Mother's Rest Playground
Walking/biking paths
Open space for picnics
Dogs are allowed on leash
T accessible:
-Green E Line: Northeastern University and Museum of Fine Arts
-39 Bus: Northeastern University and Museum of Fine Arts

Riverway

Along the Riverway, marsh was turned into parkland. Olmsted rerouted the river, then carefully sculpted and planted the banks, creating a beautiful connector in the Emerald Necklace. These steep banks and wooded edges preserve a pastoral feeling, screening out what were once carriageways and are now busy roadways.

The Muddy River wends its way past internationally-known medical, cultural and educational institutions to the Charles River. This park contains a historic Bridle Path, once used by equestrians, several of Olmsted's famous trademark bridges, and a beautiful stone gazebo at the Chapel Street Bridge. It is the perfect alternate route to the crowded sidewalks along Brookline Avenue and the surrounding roads or just to come and relax.

Park Features:

Gazebo at the Chapel Street Bridge
Olmsted's stone bridges
Bridal Path
Walking/biking trails
Open space for picnics
Dogs are allowed on leash
T accessible:
-Green "D" Line - Longwood Station
-Green "E" Line - Riverway
-8 and 9 Buses - Brookline Ave. & The Fenway
-35, 39, 192 Buses - S. Huntington & Huntington Ave.
-60 and 65 Buses - 678 Brookline Ave. opp. Pearl Street, Brookline Ave. opp. Aspinwall Ave., and Brookline Ave. & Francis Street

Olmsted Park

Olmsted Park was designed as "a chain of picturesque fresh-water ponds, alternating with attractive natural groves and meads." (FLO, 1881)

Originally named Leverett Park after the park's largest body of water, Leverett Pond, the park's name was changed in 1900 by the Boston Parks Commissioners to honor Emerald Necklace designer Frederick Law Olmsted.

A parkway on the Brookline side was recently removed by the Town to reconnect, and begin the restoration of, the Olmsted landscape. This park is home to the Woodlands and features hiking/walking/biking trails for all ages. Whether you're taking a walk along the wooden foot bridge at Wards Pond or on the paths along Leverett Pond, this park provides a tranquil escape without leaving the city.

Park Features:

Public Parking
Daisy Field
The Woodlands
Some light fishing in Wards Pond
Hiking/walking/biking trails
Open space for picnics
Dogs are allowed on leash
T accessible:
-Green "E" Line - Riverway
-35, 38, 192 Buses - Bynner Street and Perkins Street
-39 Bus - S. Huntington Ave. & Huntington Ave., Bynner Street, and Perkins Street
-65 Bus - Washington & Walnut
-66 Bus - Washington & Walnut and Huntington Ave. & Jamaicaway

Jamaica Pond

A pure, glacial kettlehole, Olmsted described Jamaica Pond as "favoring great beauty in reflections and flickering half-lights."

Jamaica Pond is the largest standing body of water in the Emerald Necklace. Few alterations were needed to improve upon this natural feature. Olmsted saved much of the existing vegetation and framed the sheet of water with tree groupings, shrubs and pathways.

Today, the boathouse at Jamaica Pond provides facilities for sailing and the beautiful path around the pond is a favorite of joggers and dog walkers alike. The Conservancy has used the Sugar Bowl next to the Pond for its first year of Movies in the Park. The fields above the Sugar Bowl are the perfect place to picnic or play a little wiffle ball with your family.

Park Features:

Public Parking
Jamaica Pond Boathouse
Boston Park Ranger Nature Center
Sailing
Fishing
Walking/biking trails
Open space for picnics
Dogs are allowed on leash
T accessible:
-39 Bus - Perkins Street & Pond Street

Arnold Arboretum

The Arnold Arboretum is a park for both outdoor enjoyment and scientific exploration 365 days a year. North America's first public arboretum, it is owned by the City of Boston and leased to Harvard University for 1,000 years, beginning in 1882. The 265 acres of rolling land includes meadows, forest and ponds with 4,000 different varieties of woody plants and 15,000 trees, shrubs and vines along with world-renowned horticultural collections.

Peter's Hill, the highest point in the Emerald Necklace, provides a glorious view of the Boston skyline. The Arboretum also offers a visitors center and bookstore located in the Hunnewell Center.

Arnold Arboretum Map

Park Features:

Public Parking
Visitors Center
Restrooms
Bookstore
Hiking/walking/biking trails
Dogs are allowed on leash
T accessible:
-Orange Line - Forest Hills
-39 Bus - Forest Hills

Franklin Park

This "country park" is the largest park (527 acres) and crowning jewel of Olmsted's work in the Emerald Necklace. Named for Benjamin Franklin, the park brings together rural scenery, a woodland preserve and an area for active recreation and sports. Franklin Park has six miles of roads and fifteen miles of pedestrian and bridle paths to explore.

Scarborough Pond, Ellicot Arch and the Wilderness (part of the Necklace's historic forests) are special places to visit. The eighteen-hole William J. Devine golf-course and the Franklin Park Zoo (added in 1912) and White Stadium are also favorite destinations. Schoolmaster Hill offers a spectacular view of the Blue Hills.

Franklin Park Map

Park Features:

Public Parking
Restrooms
Elma Louis Playhouse
Franklin Park Zoo
William J. Devine Golf Course and Clubhouse
White Stadium
Basketball courts
Baseball field
Tennis courts
Cricket pitch
Playgrounds
Hiking/walking/biking trails
The Wilderness (historic forest)
Open space for picnics
Dogs are allowed on leash
T accessible:
-Orange Line - Stony Brook, Green Street, Forest Hills
-16, 32, 34, 36, 38, 195 Buses - Circuit Drive & Glen Lane
-277 Bus - Circuit Drive & Shattuck Hospital
-22 and 29 Buses - Columbus Ave & Walnut Ave
-25 Bus - Franklin Park Loop & Zoo Entrance
-45 Bus - Franklin Park Zoo & Entrance
-42 Bus - Washington Street & Glen Road