Rose Kennedy Greenway

Urban Oasis

Situated in the heart of downtown Boston, the Rose Kennedy Greenway is a breath of fresh air amid the city's hustle and bustle. This modern linear park stretches 1.5 miles and covers 17 acres, tracing the path where an elevated highway once stood before the Big Dig transformation changed Boston's landscape forever.

Since opening in 2008, the Greenway has reconnected previously divided neighborhoods - Chinatown, the Financial District, the North End, and the Waterfront - creating a green corridor through the urban landscape. Named after Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy (1890-1995), the Kennedy family matriarch and President John F. Kennedy's mother, the park features 104 rose bushes - one for each year of her remarkable life.

Park Features

Walking through the Greenway feels like exploring a string of distinct outdoor rooms, each with its own personality. From Chinatown Park to Dewey Square, from Fort Point Channel Parks to the historical North End Parks, there's something different around every corner. The Armenian Heritage Park is a notable cultural landmark within this green space.

Art lovers will appreciate the rotating public installations that pop up throughout the seasons, adding splashes of creativity to your stroll. If you're visiting with kids (or are just young at heart), the Greenway Carousel is a must-see with its charming, locally-inspired animals - think hawks, snowy owls, sea turtles, lobsters, whales, squirrels, and foxes instead of traditional horses.

On hot summer days, the interactive fountains become impromptu playgrounds where children splash and giggle while parents dip their toes in the refreshing water. The park's plantings deserve attention too - carefully selected wildflowers and greenery maintained through eco-friendly practices create pockets of natural beauty amidst the urban backdrop.

Amenities and Activities

You can find plenty of places to rest throughout your Greenway adventure. Conventional benches offer spots to people-watch, but the swinging benches are where you'll want to linger, gently rocking as you take in the city views. Bring a blanket and you can claim a patch of grass for an impromptu picnic or a lazy afternoon of cloud-watching.

The interactive fountains are great for cooling off when Boston's summer humidity kicks in. The Greenway also makes an ideal resting spot when exploring nearby attractions - take a breather here before continuing on to Faneuil Hall, Quincy Market, or the New England Aquarium.

Throughout the seasons, the park hosts various activities. You might find a farmers' market with local produce, artisans selling handcrafted goods, or occasional performances. It's a place where the city seems to slow down a bit.

Community and Management

Behind the scenes, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy works to keep this urban sanctuary thriving. This non-profit organization does more than maintain the grounds - they transform the space with year-round programming including morning yoga classes, guided art tours, popular food truck festivals, summer beer gardens, and bustling farmers' markets.

The park welcomes everyone with its ADA-compliant pathways and facilities. On any given day, you'll see joggers getting in their morning miles, families having picnics, coworkers enjoying outdoor lunch breaks, and tourists mapping out their next destination.

The Greenway functions as both a connector between Boston's neighborhoods and a destination in its own right. It's an example of urban planning that transformed a former highway area into a community space where city life and nature coexist.