Franklin Park

A Historic Urban Oasis

Spanning 527 acres, Franklin Park stands as Boston's largest green space - a leafy giant in the city's landscape. This sprawling retreat was crafted in the late 19th century by Frederick Law Olmsted as a key jewel in the Emerald Necklace, Boston's ingenious string of connected parks.

The park wasn't always Franklin Park though. Originally dubbed West Roxbury Park, it got its current name in 1885 as a nod to Benjamin Franklin. Olmsted envisioned it as a "country park" - a place where city dwellers could escape the urban grind and reconnect with nature's rhythms without having to leave town.

Diverse Landscapes and Features

Walk through Franklin Park and you'll encounter a range of natural settings: peaceful woodlands transition into open meadows, dramatic rock outcroppings punctuate the landscape, and designated recreation areas offer space to play. Those outcroppings are composed of Roxbury Puddingstone, a distinctive local stone found throughout the Boston area, and they appear alongside old stone bridges and scattered ruins, giving certain parts of the park a rugged, almost geological character. Miles of winding trails are excellent for walking, jogging, and cycling.

The park holds some architectural retreats worth seeking out, including the stately Ellicott Arch and Schoolmaster Hill, which carries its own historical footnote. Long before the park existed, Ralph Waldo Emerson lived in a small cabin at the top of the hill from 1823 to 1824, running a school with his mother and brother while drawing on the surrounding landscape for the nature writing he would become famous for. A plaque marks the site, and on a clear day the summit still offers views out to the Blue Hills. History buffs will also appreciate landmarks like Scarboro Pond and the old "Bear Dens" - atmospheric ruins of the park's original 1912 zoo exhibit, complete with the remains of iron cages and a stone sculpture bearing the crest of the City of Boston.

Expansive view of a fairway at the park's golf course

Photo: Erik Hansen (CC BY 2.0)

Recreation and Attractions

The Franklin Park Zoo occupies 72 acres within the park's boundaries and has been drawing crowds since 1912. It's the second largest zoo in New England, behind only Southwick's Zoo in Mendon, and is home to lions, pygmy hippos, Masai giraffes, western lowland gorillas, and budgerigars. One of its most popular draws is the Tropical Forest exhibit, which opened in September 1989 and remains a highlight for many. Golf enthusiasts can tee off at the William J. Devine Golf Course, which holds the distinction of being the second oldest public golf course in the entire country.

Check out White Stadium for athletic events or the Elma Lewis Playstead, an open-air venue that has hosted legendary performers including Duke Ellington, the Billy Taylor Trio, and the Boston Pops. Within the park, you'll also find tennis courts, baseball fields, and basketball courts - offering plenty of sports options within a natural setting.

Stone steps leading up through fall foliage near Circuit Dr

Photo: C. K. Hartman (CC BY 2.0)

Family-Friendly Amenities

If you're visiting with kids, you'll appreciate the modern playgrounds scattered across the park, with particularly nice ones near the zoo and golf course. These play areas provide a good opportunity for little ones to burn off energy while parents catch their breath.

Planning to make a day of it? Numerous picnic areas with tables dot the landscape, making Franklin Park well suited for gatherings both spontaneous and planned. Some sections allow grilling, but you'll need to bring your own equipment. Just be prepared for company during those perfect summer weekends when everyone has the same idea.

Annual Events and Activities

The park's calendar features several standout annual events. The kite festival brings color to the skies, while the Boston half-marathon in November challenges runners with its rolling hills and scenic route through the park.

During special seasons, Boston Lights transforms the zoo area into an illuminated landscape of light displays and decorative lanterns. It's a memorable after-dark experience that tends to captivate visitors of all ages.

A Living Legacy

Like many historic parks, Franklin Park has weathered periods of neglect and revival throughout its existence. Recently, the City of Boston invested $28 million in renovations to enhance its accessibility and facilities. One piece of history that often surprises people: the park is widely cited as the site of the first intercollegiate ice hockey game played in the United States. On January 19, 1898, students from Brown University and Harvard University faced off on a frozen pond within the park, with Brown winning 6 - 0 - a result reported in the following day's Boston Herald.

Today, Franklin Park provides a green space for the neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Jamaica Plain. It offers a peaceful natural escape within Boston's urban boundaries while meeting diverse recreational needs for residents.