Olmsted Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Olmsted Park |
|
|---|---|
Wards Pond in Olmsted Park in 2014
|
|
| Location | Boston and Brookline, Massachusetts |
| Designer | Frederick Law Olmsted |
|
Olmstead Park System
|
|
| NRHP reference No. | 71000086 |
Olmsted Park is a long, narrow park located in the cities of Boston and Brookline, Massachusetts. It's a special part of Boston's famous Emerald Necklace, which is a chain of connected parks and scenic roads. The park was first called Leverett Park, but in 1900, it was renamed to honor its brilliant designer, Frederick Law Olmsted.
Contents
Exploring Olmsted Park
Olmsted Park has two main sections for you to explore.
Southern Park Features
The southern part of the park is next to Jamaica Pond. Here, you'll find sports fields and three beautiful ponds.
- Ward's Pond: This is a small pond, shaped like a bowl, which is called a kettle pond.
- Willow Pond: A tiny pond, perfect for quiet moments.
- Leverett Pond: This is the largest of the three ponds.
Northern Park Features
The northern section of the park is a narrow pathway. The Muddy River flows through this area on its way to the Charles River. The very northern tip of Olmsted Park connects to the Back Bay Fens and the Mission Hill neighborhood.
How Olmsted Park Was Created
Frederick Law Olmsted was a very famous landscape designer. He was known for creating New York City's amazing Central Park.
Olmsted's Vision for the Muddy River
In 1880, Olmsted suggested that the swampy Muddy River should be part of Boston's park system. The river was often muddy and salty back then.
Transforming the Landscape
Starting in 1890, big changes began.
- Workers dug out the river to make it a winding stream.
- A large swamp was turned into Leverett Pond.
- Ward's Pond was connected to the river with a small stream.
Recent Improvements to the Park
Over the years, Olmsted Park has received many updates to keep it beautiful and useful.
Enhancements for Visitors
After a big plan for the Emerald Necklace Parks was finished in 1989 (and updated in 2001), many improvements were made.
- Riverdale Parkway: This road was once for horse-drawn carriages. In 1997–98, it became a path for bikes and people walking.
- Allerton Overlook: This scenic viewpoint at the end of Allerton Street in Brookline was rebuilt.
- Footbridges: The park's small bridges were repaired.
- Boardwalk: A wooden walkway was added at the south end of Ward's Pond.
Restoring the Babbling Brook
In 2006, the town of Brookline worked to restore a special part of the Muddy River in the park. This section is known as "Babbling Brook."
- Stones were carefully put back into place.
- Harmful plants, like knotweed, were removed.
- The streambed was clearly defined.
- New trees and shrubs were planted to stop unwanted plants from growing again.
