Danehy Park facts for kids
Thomas W. Danehy Park is a large park located in northern Cambridge, Massachusetts. You can find its main entrance at 99 Sherman Street. The park is bordered by the MBTA Fitchburg Line to the north and the Fresh Pond Mall to the west. It's a great place for sports, walks, and enjoying nature!
Park History
Before it became the beautiful park we know today, the land where Danehy Park now sits had a very different past. It was first used as a brickyard, where bricks were made. Then, starting in 1952, the city of Cambridge used it as a dumping ground for trash.
The landfill closed in the early 1970s. After that, the city allowed the MBTA (which runs Boston's public transport) to use the land. This was a staging area during the construction of the Red Line subway in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The MBTA also dumped soil from their tunnel digging projects here.
After a big effort and an $11 million investment, the 50-acre (20 hectares) area was transformed into a park. It officially opened to the public in 1990. The new park included athletic fields for sports, walking paths, and even a special wetland area.
Who Was Thomas W. Danehy?
The park was named after Thomas W. Danehy, who served as the mayor of Cambridge from 1978 to 1979. Naming the park after him was a way to honor his contributions to the city.
Park Features
Danehy Park is known for its unique features. It has a 1.5-mile (2.4 kilometer) path that was designed by artist Mierle Laderman Ukeles. This path is special because it's made from recycled glass and asphalt!
The path leads up to the highest point in Cambridge, a hill that stands 72 feet (22 meters) above sea level. From the top, you can get a great view of the surrounding area. The park also offers plenty of space for different sports and activities on its athletic fields.
An Important Park
Danehy Park is recognized as a very important example of urban planning. The Society of Architectural Historians and the American Society of Landscape Architects have pointed it out as one of the first times a former landfill in New England was successfully turned into a public park. This transformation shows how old, unused land can be given a new life for the community to enjoy.
