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While Boston is known for it’s “dirty water,” it’s actually a pretty green city. Frederick Law Olmsted, America’s first and perhaps most famous landscape architect designed the city’s famous Emerald Necklace beginning in 1878, a project that draped seven nearly contiguous miles of parks, paths, and waterways from Boston Common to Franklin Park.
Yes, we Bostonians love our parks. Nothing says summer in Boston like lounging under a weeping willow in the Public Gardens or running along the Esplanade at dusk.
But while those parks (rightly) get all the attention, there are others worth visiting, especially with little kids in tow. Here are five options worth a visit.
1. Franklin Street Park – Just two blocks off Mass Ave between Harvard and Central squares, this tiny park hidden away on a residential street is one of my favorite spots in Cambridge. Ample shade, interesting sculptures, and lush landscaping create a tranquil setting, but the real draw is a unique metal half-dome in the back of the park. What’s it for? Pretty much anything you and your kids can think of, from sitting to sliding to climbing.
2. Fenway Victory Gardens – Located in the Back Bay Fens within shouting distance of Fenway Park, the Fenway Victory Gardens is the oldest continuously operating WWII-era victory gardens in the country. There are more than 500 individual plots, and wandering through the maze-like seven-and-a-half-acre park will take you past vegetable rows, wild flower displays, and meticulously landscaped gardens, each with its own personality.
It's a great place for kids to learn and explore.
3. Frieda Garcia Park –This small but gorgeous park just off Copley Square is another personal favorite. Named after local activist and community leader Frieda Garcia, the park features vibrant murals, fun rope-and-steel climbing structures, and plenty of places to sit and relax. It’s a worthwhile detour after wandering through the Back Bay or Prudential Center, and there are lots of places nearby to grab a coffee or snack (to be enjoyed while the kids run around).
4. Arnold Arboretum – One of the jewels of the Emerald Necklace, the Arboretum boasts 281 acres of paths, meadows, and countless trees and plants. Harvard University owns and operates the park, and there are numerous activities geared toward families. Kid-friendly highlights include the Bonsai collection and Lilac Sunday, usually held on or around Mother’s Day every spring. This is one of the best places in Boston to wander and enjoy a warm afternoon.
5. Minuteman Bikeway – While not a park per se, the Minuteman Bikeway is a great way to explore Greater Boston with the fam. The Bikeway travels 10 miles from Alewife in Cambridge to Bedford, and generally follows the path taken by Paul Revere on his famous ride in 1775. Along its paved, woodsy route, the Bikeway passes scenic ponds and reservoirs, historic sites, and crosses through the towns of Arlington and Lexington. Riders can connect to various urban bike paths as well, including paths through Somerville and the rest of Cambridge. Didn’t bring your bike? Check out Hubway, Boston’s bike share program, which has a station adjacent to the Alewife end of the Bikeway.
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