North End Parks facts for kids
The North End Parks are two special parks in Boston, Massachusetts. They are the northernmost parks on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. These parks were built right over the O'Neill Tunnel, a big underground highway. They sit next to Boston's historic North End neighborhood. Two landscape design companies, Crosby, Schlessinger, Smallridge and Gustafson Guthrie Nichol, helped create these parks. Together, they cover about 3 acres (12,000 square meters) of green space.
Discovering the North End Parks' Location
The North End Parks are built on specific areas called "parcels" from Boston's Big Dig project. These are parcels #8 and #10, located on opposite sides of Hanover Street. These spots were set aside to be designed especially for the people living in the North End community. They invite both locals and visitors to enjoy the park.
These 3-acre parks act as an important connection point. They link the big, busy areas like Quincy Market, Government Center, and Haymarket with the cozy, older North End neighborhood. The famous Freedom Trail, which used to be in the shadow of an elevated highway, now winds right through these parks.
The North End Parks are surrounded by streets like John Fitzgerald Surface Road, North, Cross, and Sudbury streets. They are also above the O'Neill/I-93 tunnel structures. This area has a long history, going back over 300 years. It was once a "land bridge" that connected Boston's peninsula to Sudbury Street. This low-lying spot was also chosen for a mill canal, which linked a swampy area (later called the Bulfinch Triangle) with the bay.
Designing the North End Parks
The North End Parks were designed by GGN and Crosby Schlessinger Smallridge. The parks officially opened on November 5, 2007.
The park's design includes flexible spaces for everyone to enjoy. You'll find green lawns with walking paths, open plazas with shaded pergolas, and cool water features. These features run through both parks. They are popular with North End residents of all ages, as well as the many tourists and Bostonians who visit each year. The local community played a big role in shaping the design. They helped create a welcoming "front porch" for the North End.
Along the western edge of the parks, you'll see a boxwood hedge. This hedge frames beautiful perennial gardens filled with irises, lavender, peonies, and poppies. Different plants will bloom continuously from spring through fall. Trees like magnolia, ash, and a large Washington elm also add beauty to the parks. To celebrate the Italian heritage of today's North End, the community porch pergola is covered with flowering vines.
You'll find plenty of chairs, tables, and benches to relax on. They are perfect for reading a book or enjoying a local treat. The leaning rails along Hanover Street feature quotes from famous North End residents. They also show a timeline of historical events. Hanover Street divides the two parks, but it can be closed off to connect them for special events.
