The Emerald Necklace

The following parks are located in Boston from downtown to Forest Hills. At one point all the parks were connected and hence the name The Emerald Necklace was born.

For information Contact: 617-635-4505

Boston Common - The oldest public park in the U.S. Located downtown and bordered by Tremont, Boylston, Charles, Beacon and Park Streets.
Enjoy a picnic on the grass in the summer and in the winter you can skate across the Frog Pond.

Public Garden - A beautifully landscaped historic public botanical garden bounded by Charles, Beacon, Arlington and Boylston Streets. Public Garden is well known for the Swan Boats.

Commonwealth Avenue Mall - Extends from Arlington Street west to Charlesgate.

The Back Bay Fens - Extends from Charlesgate to the Sears Building.

The Riverway - Runs along the Muddy River, between Boston and Brookline, from the Old Sears Building at the corner cop Park Drive and Brookline Avenue and continues south to Route 9.

Olmsted Park - Extends from Route 9 south to Perkins Street, between Boston and Brookline (in between Jamaica Pond and Brookline Village).

Jamaica Pond - Extends between Perkins Street, Jamaica Plain; Park Drive, Boston; and Prince Street, Boston along the Jamaicaway.

Arnold Arboretum - A botanical garden in Jamaica Plain with the largest collection of trees in North America. (Routes 1 and 203, Arborway). Established in 1872, the arboretum is home to 1000's of different types of plants and trees including a Bonsai collection with tress that are hundreds of years old. Run by Harvard University it is free to all to come and stroll through the pathways. Call (617) 524-1718 for more information.

Franklin Park - Extends south from Seaver and Walnut Streets to Forest Hills. Franklin Park Zoo is located at 149 Pond Street. For more informaiton call (781) 438-5100

Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park - Boston (Atlantic Avenue, between Mercantile Street and Long Wharf) A nice place to sit and look at the harbor. 617-725-4505

Garden in the Woods - Located at 180 Hemenway Road in North Framingham, Massachusetts. Call (508) 877-7630 for more information.

Other Parks & Green Spaces

The Boston Harbor Islands - Now considered state parks, the 34 Boston Harbor Islands are a quick stop from Boston via water taxis, ferries or private boats. National historic landmarks include Fort Warren on Georges Island and Boston Light on Little Brewster Island. Other accessible historical public places are Fort Andrews on Peddocks Island and Fort Standish on Lovells Island. Ruins from military installations and hospitals are found on Gallops and Bumpkin islands. Thompson Island, home to Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center, has a history of education going back to the 19th century.

New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill - The New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill in Boylston, Massachusetts is a 132-acre garden featuring a diverse range of plant collections and themed areas, including formal and informal gardens, wooded areas, and meadows. The Lawn Garden, Orangerie, and Cottage Garden are popular attractions, and the garden offers a range of educational programs and art installations. The garden is a beautiful and inspiring destination for anyone interested in plants, nature, and horticulture.

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Alphabetical List of Massachusetts State Parks