A contemporary public park in the heart of Boston, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway was created to be a public park that re-connected areas of Boston that had been isolated from one another by a world-class traffic problem. The elimination of one of the most congested highways in the United States created an opportunity to install a series of parks with water features and various other amenities.
Parks and plazas along with space to develop retail, commercial and housing developments have turned what was an eyesore for Boston into a hub of activity that attracts both residents and visitors. Doing so is an incredible example of what it can mean to transform an unexceptional space into something that benefits an entire region.
A “Big Dig” Spurs the Creation of Parks and Plazas
The Central Artery/Tunnel Project, better known as the “Big Dig”, was designed to replace a six-lane elevated highway with an underground expressway. Recognized as one of the most complex highway projects in the history of the United States, the goal of the project was to alleviate what had become a glut of traffic but to also reunite the North End and Waterfront neighborhoods from downtown. These areas had been separated since the highway was completed in 1959 and had ever since limited these areas’ ability to take part in the city’s economic life. This history and more is literally and figuratively incorporated into the entire space.
The project ultimately replaced a six-lane elevated highway with an underground expressway beneath the existing road. The newly open space was a prime location in the city that spurred the creation of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, which contains over 45 parks and major public plazas. Most of the 30 downtown acres is and will remain open space, with 25% is set aside for the development of retail, commercial, and housing uses in low-rise buildings.
The Greenway has a number of historical and interpretative markers and maps located throughout the parks. These green spaces include the Uncle Frank & Auntie Kay Chin Park, Dewey Square Park, Fort Point Channel Parks, Wharf District Parks and North End Parks. The activities and engagement throughout each of them have enabled a notable impact on the culture and economy of the city.
Experiences and Art on the Greenway
The 36-seat Greenway Carousel features 14 different Boston creatures from the air, land and sea that were originally conceived of as sketches drawn by local chidlren. Their visions of scurrying, swooping and swimming creatures were brought to life by local sculptors and painters, which has resulted in an attraction that engages audiences from March until November.
Permanent pieces of public art like Harbor Fog functions as both a cooling fountain and a contemporary art piece. Armenian Heritage Park features an abstract sculpture dedicated to the victims of the Armenian Genocide. The piece is a split dodecahedron and is mounted on a Reflecting Pool.
A rotating exhibition of contemporary public art also resides throughout the Greenway. Installations by well-known and emerging artists are scattered throughout the Greenway parks.
While these attractions are a major draw for visitors, the ability to simply stretch out on the grass or enjoy a green oasis in the middle of an urban landscape is what many people appreciate more than anything else. Serving such diverse desires and needs has been the purview of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy which is supported in a variety of ways.
A Vibrant, Inclusive, and Evolving Gathering Place
Created in 2004, the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy is the non-profit steward of the Greenway. The organization maintains, programs, improves and operates the Greenway on behalf of the public. It engages and interacts with the public in a variety of ways.
Around 80% of the Conservancy’s funding comes from private sources, including gifts that are very simple to provide. Additionally, events like Gala on the Greenway and Glow in the Park provide supporters with a means of interacting and supporting the wider community.
These sorts of interactions take place all throughout the year with a variety of partners and organizations planning them. All events must complete an Event Planning form, and after the event is accepted, the Conservancy works with an organization to finalize an event agreement, usage fees, layouts, and insurance needs.
In terms of indirect revenue and opportunities, Dewey Square hosts numerous food vendors in the summer, while a Farmer’s Market is also held from the spring until the winter. A food truck schedule allows visitors to plan their trip to the Greenway. Numerous hotels allow them to take advantage of the Greenway’s proximity to attractions like the Freedom Trail, Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the Bunker Hill Monument.
All of these opportunities for revenue and engagement are the result of the transformation of a space that highlights what it means to engage audiences on multiple levels for the benefit of the present future of an entire region.
A Boston Legacy
As a 17 acre green ribbon that winds its way 1.5 miles through downtown Boston, the Greenway has become an essential element of Boston in a literal manner. Whether visitors want to taste the latest from local restaurants, relax in an urban oasis, or ride on a contemporary carousel, they’ll be able to experience the culture of Boston in an especially powerful manner.
However, what’s important to note is that the Greenway is the result of an active and costly effort to transform a space into something far more engaging. Doing so showcases what it can mean to create a legacy in a prime location that would have otherwise been a space that remained nondescript and unexceptional.
