Piers Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Piers Park |
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Piers Park with the downtown Boston skyline in the distance
|
|
| Type | Urban Park |
| Location | East Boston, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Operated by | Massport |
| Status | Open all year |
| Public transit access | Maverick station via the MBTA Blue Line |
Piers Park is a public park in East Boston, Massachusetts. It is owned by Massport, which is the agency that runs Boston's airport and port. The park sits right on Boston Harbor, offering amazing views of downtown Boston.
This 6.5-acre park was created to turn an old, unused industrial pier into a fun place. It gives people a chance to enjoy the waterfront. There are also plans to make the park even bigger in the future!
Contents
History
The Story of Wood Island Park
The people of East Boston and Massport have had a complicated relationship for a long time. This started when Logan International Airport first opened in 1923.
Things became difficult in the 1960s. Massport took over a large piece of land to expand the airport. This land included a beautiful park called Wood Island Park. This park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and opened in 1898. It was a big, 46-acre park with a lovely waterfront area. It was a very important place for the community.
Wood Island Park was a main spot for fun and relaxation in East Boston. In 1969, Massport decided to take the park to build a new runway for Logan Airport. Many people who lived nearby had to move from their homes.
On April 23, 1969, Massport started work without telling anyone. They sent crews with chainsaws to cut down trees. One person said it was like a "military operation." Residents were very upset and tried to stop the bulldozers. Sadly, Wood Island Park was quickly destroyed to make way for the airport.
A Promise Kept: Piers Park is Built
In 1966, Massport promised to build new parks and recreation areas. This was to make up for the loss of Wood Island Park. But by 1975, the airport had grown even more, and the promised park still hadn't been built.
It took a long time and a lot of effort from local residents to make it happen. A key person was Edith deAngelis. She worked hard with other community members to plan for new development. She said, "We had to do it ourselves."
Edith deAngelis and other local leaders suggested turning three old, unused piers owned by Massport into a new park. One of these piers had an old building that was once the historic East Boston Immigration Station. After many talks, Massport agreed to give 6.5 acres of land for the new park. This area became Piers Park, and it opened to the public in 1995.
Future Plans: Phases II and III
There are plans to make Piers Park even bigger! "Phase II" will add about 4.5 acres of new park space right next to the current park.
There's also a "Phase III" planned for another 3.8 acres. This would expand the park further along the waterfront. Work began in 2020 to check the ground for this future expansion.
What You Can See and Do
Landside Park
The main part of Piers Park (Phase I) has many cool features. You'll find trails paved with bricks and granite. These materials came from the original 1870 seawalls that protected the shore.
The park is filled with plants that grow well near the ocean. There are over thirty-two types of trees, seasonal flowers, and pretty shrubs. You can walk along a long, winding brick path that is 600 feet long!
For kids, there's a fun play area and a spray pool to cool off in. There's also a small exercise area. The park has a grassy amphitheater where small outdoor concerts and shows can take place.
The Pier
A rebuilt pier stretches out into the harbor from the park. It has fancy, old-fashioned lampposts. The original seawalls have been kept, adding to the park's history.
Pavilions
There are four small shade pavilions on the pier. Two are on each side. The pavilion at the end of the pier is dedicated to Donald McKay, a famous ship-builder. The pavilion in the middle is called the Commons Pavilion. It has twenty-four granite panels created by artist William Reimann. These panels honor the history of immigrants in the neighborhood.
Sailing Center
The Piers Park Sailing Center is a special non-profit organization. It offers sailing lessons and community boating programs. Massport helps the center by letting them use the site for a very low cost. They also gave the center ten 23-foot Sonar sailboats.
The Sailing Center has programs for adults, young people, and people with disabilities. It's a great place to learn how to sail and enjoy the water!
