Franklin Park (Boston) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Franklin Park |
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A path in Franklin Park in October 2013
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| Location | Boston, Massachusetts, United States |
| Area | 527 acres (2.13 km2) |
| Established | 19th century |
| Governing body | The City of Boston, Parks Department |
Franklin Park is a huge park in Boston, Massachusetts. It covers about 527 acres (2.13 km2) and is located in the Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Dorchester neighborhoods. This park is the biggest in Boston and is home to the famous Franklin Park Zoo. In 1980, it was named a special Boston Landmark.
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Discover Franklin Park: Boston's Green Gem
Franklin Park was designed in the 1800s by Frederick Law Olmsted. He was a very famous landscape architect. This park is the largest part of his "Emerald Necklace" system. The Emerald Necklace is a chain of parks and waterways around Boston. Many people call Franklin Park the "crown jewel" of Olmsted's work in the Boston area.
The park was once called West Roxbury Park. It was later renamed to honor Benjamin Franklin, a famous Boston-born patriot. Franklin Park offers a mix of beautiful natural areas, thick woods, and places for sports. You can explore its 6 miles (9.7 km) of roads. There are also 15 miles (24 km) of paths for walking or riding horses.
Many parts of Franklin Park are very scenic. They are perfect for public enjoyment. Popular spots include Scarboro Pond and Ellicott Arch. The park also has large forested areas. You can find picnic spots, old stone bridges, and unique rock formations. These rocks are called Roxbury Puddingstone. There are also old stone ruins, like those in the Long Crouch Woods.
Explore the Franklin Park Zoo
Franklin Park Zoo is a big attraction inside the park. It opened in 1912 and covers 72 acres (290,000 m2). The zoo is home to many exciting animals. You can see lions, tigers, and pygmy hippos. There are also Masai giraffes, colorful budgerigars, and Amur leopards. Don't miss the western lowland gorillas and Grevy's zebras!
One of the zoo's most popular areas is the Tropical Forest. This exhibit opened in 1989. It lets you experience a rainforest environment. Franklin Park Zoo is the second largest zoo in New England.
Long Crouch Woods: History and Nature
The Long Crouch Woods is another interesting part of Franklin Park. This area is famous for its historic "Bear Dens." These dens were built in 1912. They were originally part of the zoo. The design included a grand staircase and large iron bear cages. One cage even had a cool stone sculpture of bears and Boston's city crest.
Over time, the Bear Dens became too costly to keep up. They were officially closed in 1954. In 1958, this area became separate from the zoo property. Since the 1980s, people have tried to turn Long Crouch Woods into a nature preserve. There were even plans for a snack bar and a theater.
Today, groups like the Franklin Park Coalition work to keep this area clean. In 2002, they removed a lot of trash. In 2007, they received money to help restore the paths. This project involved local teens. They helped with the landscaping work.
Sports and Recreation in Franklin Park
Franklin Park is a great place for sports lovers. It has the William J. Devine Memorial Golf Course. This is one of the oldest public golf courses in the United States. You can also find tennis courts, baseball fields, and basketball courts. The Boston Rugby Football Club (Boston RFC) plays its games here.
Large open fields are used for lacrosse and soccer. On Sunday afternoons, you might see people playing cricket. The park is also very famous for cross country races. Many high school and college meets happen here. Franklin Park hosts big events like the Massachusetts All-States Meet. It also hosts the NCAA Northeast Regional Championship every other year.
The park has different courses for races. These include 3000 meters, 5000 meters, 6000 meters, 8000 meters, and 10000 meters. In 1992, Franklin Park even hosted the IAAF World Cross Country Championships. A special 12.5-kilometer course was used for that event. The courses use different loops. These include the stadium loop, the Bear Cage hill loop, and the wilderness loop. The wilderness loop goes through the park's wooded areas.
Franklin Park's Role in Ice Hockey History
Franklin Park holds a special place in ice hockey history. It is often said to be the location of the "first game of intercollegiate ice hockey played in the United States." This historic game happened on January 19, 1898. Students from Brown University traveled to Boston. They found a frozen pond in Franklin Park. They asked other skaters to move aside. Then, they played against students from Harvard University. The next day, the Boston Herald reported the score: Brown 6, Harvard 0.
Playhouse in the Park
Franklin Park has an outdoor performance area. It is called the "Playhouse in the Park." This stage has hosted many famous musicians. These include the Billy Taylor Trio and the Boston Pops. It's a great spot to enjoy music and shows outdoors.
Schoolmaster Hill: A Place of Inspiration
Before Franklin Park was created, a famous writer lived here. From 1823 to 1824, Ralph Waldo Emerson lived in a small cabin. It was on top of what is now "Schoolmaster Hill." He ran a "School for Young Ladies" with his mother and brother. Emerson found inspiration in the landscape for his nature poems and essays. Today, there is a plaque honoring Emerson's memory. Schoolmaster Hill also offers amazing views of the Blue Hills.
