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Rose Kennedy Greenway

INFO

Contact Information: 

185 Kneeland Street
7th Floor
Boston, MA 02111
617-292-0020
Rose Kennedy Greenway Website

Description: 

Photograph of the Rings Fountain

When Boston's Big Dig project relocated elevated roadways underground, Boston found itself with a 15 acre strip of prime urban land. Community and political leaders saw an opportunity to enhance Boston's city life by providing additional parks and gardens. One of the most important public projects in Boston’s history, the Greenway challenged designers to balance natural beauty and landscaped grace with bustle and activity of an urban center. The Greenway is a key feature of the Boston redevelopment, which also includes the Boston Harborwalk, the South Boston Waterfront, and the Harbor Islands. 
The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway includes gardens, plazas, and tree-lined promenades.  The Greenway is made up of a series of four parks within a curvilinear corridor of land extending approximately one mile through downtown Boston.  Intersecting streets and parallel tree-lined boulevards with wide sidewalks frame parks and plazas.  The North End, Wharf District, Dewey Square and Chinatown Parks opened in 2007 and 2008.

GETTING THERE

Driving and Parking: 
Driving Directions
The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway is located between New Sudbury Street in the North End and Beach Street in Chinatown. Google Maps provides accurate driving and walking directions.
 
Parking
North End
Government Center Garage – 50 New Sudbury Street, Boston, MA
North End Garage - 588 Commercial Street, Boston, MA
Wharf District:
Laz Parking - 25 Northern Ave, Boston, MA
The Boston Harbor Garage - 70 East India Row, Boston, MA
Chinatown/Dewey Square:
Laz Parking – 700 Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA
Standard Parking – One Financial Center, Boston, MA
Public Transportation: 
The Greenway covers 15 acres, much of which is in close proximity to public transportation. Public transportation is the greenest way to get to the Greenway!  Since the public transportation and destination options for the Greenway are so varied, consider using the Trip Planner feature on the MBTA website.
Entrances: 
 
The Greenway and its parks can be entered at almost any point along its length.  The link above connects to a complete map of the Greenway.  All areas can be entered by those using wheelchairs or scooters.

GETTING AROUND

Features for People with Children: 
Perhaps the most well-known feature on the Greenway is the Rings Fountain in the Wharf District Park near Milk Street, adjacent to the New England Aquarium.  On summer days, throngs of children and playful adults romp among the jets of water that shoot in the air.  Set in a spiraling pattern of rose-colored stone inlaid at surface level, the fountain’s 64 nozzles create a display of three choreographed circles of vertical water.  Because each nozzle works independently, the patterns of water that result are surprising, mesmerizing, and attract many onlookers even on the coolest days.
 
Another favorite, the North End Fountains provide endless cool enjoyment. Children love the canal where they can wet their feet or watch their flip flops swirl around, and it's a great place to relax at the end of the day, meet friends, or watch passers-by to your heart's content.
The Greenway’s water features are on from 9AM-11PM daily, from May to October.
The Carousel: This popular Greenway attraction provides a unique opportunity to experience old-fashioned fun.  The seasonal carousel runs May-October, and tickets are $3/ride.
Features for People with Mobility Impairments: 

The Greenway is accessible to those using wheelchairs and scooters.  There are many spots to sit and rest along the course of the Greenway

Bathrooms: 

There are no restrooms on the Greenway itself.  North Station, South Station, and Faneuil Hall Marketplace offer public restrooms. Neighboring hotels and restaurants may offer public restrooms as well.

OTHER

Special Features: 

Leaning Rail Time Line: Along the southern boundary of the park near Hanover Street you’ll find a bronze rail depicting the diverse and colorful history of the North End through a time line of quotations. This extension of the “leaning rail” -- a great place to rest and take in the beauty of the park -- captures the lives of ordinary, and extraordinary, people, from the Native People who lived and travelled across the region before the 1600s, to the waves of English, Irish, Eastern European and Italian immigrants.

Chinatown Gate: A traditional Chinatown gate (paifong), a gift from the city Taipei, is a symbolic entryway for visitors and immigrants who settle in the area. Two imperial guardian foo dogs guard the front of the paifong. 

Amenities: 

Free wireless is available throughout, from the North End to Chinatown.  Look for the "Greenway" wirleless network.

There are a number of food and beverege vendors located throughout the Greenway.

A farmer's market is open in Dewey Square, near South Station, from 11AM to 7PM every Tuesday and Thursday from ent of May until Thanksgiving.