Discover the Rose Kennedy Greenway
The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a 17-acre linear park in Boston, Massachusetts, which contains gardens, public art, fountains, plazas, and even other parks! Whilst the Greenway contains many interesting features it also pays tribute to the land’s deep roots. A land acknowledgment recognizes the area as the ancestral home of the Massachusett, Pawtucket, Wampanoag, and Nipmuc peoples, honoring their centuries of stewardship.
Locals like to visit the greenway to get their steps in with a gentle stroll, join a fitness class, grab a bite from a food truck, or simply admire its unusual features. But how did the Rose Kennedy Greenway come to be? Let’s take a closer look at the unique story behind this quirky Boston park.
A Green Idea to Tackle Congestion
Traffic Troubles
Once upon a time (the 1980s, to be exact), Boston had a big problem—traffic. The elevated Central Artery (I-93) sliced through the heart of downtown, carrying far more vehicles than it was ever designed to handle.
Originally built in 1959 to facilitate the crossing of 75,000 cars daily, it was groaning under the weight of more than 200,000 vehicles by the 1990s. Traffic jams lasted for hours, accidents were rampant, and the city’s economy was feeling the strain from delays and wasted fuel.
Cue the “Big Dig”, an ambitious infrastructure project that began in 1991. Its mission? To replace the outdated highway with an underground system, reduce congestion, and reconnect downtown Boston with its waterfront.
But the Big Dig wasn’t just about traffic relief; it was also about reclaiming space for people. Out of this monumental effort emerged the Rose Kennedy Greenway, a park atop the newly buried highway.
Naming the Rose Kennedy Greenway
The Greenway is named in honor of Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy, the matriarch of the famed Kennedy family. Born in Boston’s North End, Rose was the daughter of Boston Mayor John F. Fitzgerald (nicknamed “Honey Fitz”) and the mother of President John F. Kennedy.
The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy
Establishing and maintaining the Greenway required teamwork. The Rose Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, an independent nonprofit, was founded in 2004 to oversee the park’s development and operations.
Officially opening in 2008, the Greenway quickly became a symbol of sustainability and community engagement, hosting events, providing organic landscape care, and creating a welcoming space for millions of visitors each year.
Parks in the Rose Kennedy Greenway
The Rose Kennedy Greenway is a ribbon of parks that wind their way through the heart of the city. Each park along this stretch is different, representing the neighborhoods it encompasses.
Auntie Kay & Uncle Frank Chin Park
Welcome to Chinatown! Auntie Kay & Uncle Frank Chin Park (once known as Chinatown Park) is a one-acre space with bamboo-lined walkways, bold red sculptures, and a fountain.
It’s also a hotspot for community events like the August Moon Festival and Films at the Gate. And for the little ones? The whimsical PlayCubes climbing structure is endless fun.
Dewey Square Park
Dewey Square Park is the city’s go-to lunch spot for commuters and locals. Situated between South Station and the Financial District, it’s a buzzing hub with food trucks, farmers’ markets, and plenty of tables to chow down at.
During the warmer months, the pollinator gardens and edible plants steal the show with a burst of color.
Grab your food truck goodies and settle down for some prime people-watching action!
Fort Point Channel Parks
For a New England garden vibe, Fort Point Channel Parks is your destination. Dubbed the “New American Gardens,” these parks are packed with a mix of native trees and flowers. They’re perfect for a quiet stroll or a picnic, this space also connects beautifully with the nearby harbor views.
Wharf District Parks
The Wharf District Parks are the Greenway’s social butterflies. This area has open lawns, paved plazas, and the staple Greenway Carousel at the Tiffany & Co. Foundation Grove. It also hosts the Greenway Open Market. For those with physical or auditory disabilities, the Greenway Carousel is New England’s most accessible carousel, and can be hired for birthday parties.
Tip: Don’t forget to wander down the Mothers’ Walk, where engraved pavers share touching tributes from families across the city.
Armenian Heritage Park
A tribute to Boston’s immigrant roots, the Armenian Heritage Park is as meaningful as it is beautiful. The labyrinth path leads to the striking Abstract Sculpture—a split dodecahedron that’s reconfigured yearly—that sits atop a reflecting pool, symbolizing hope and honoring the immigrant experience.
North End Parks
Flanking Hanover Street, the North End Parks brings a European garden vibe to Boston. There are manicured boxwood hedges, cheerful perennials, and a canal fountain. With trellises for shade and lawns perfect for lounging, this is another great park in which to relax.
Features of the Rose Kennedy Greenway
When it comes to adding a touch of fun, color, and socialization to Boston, the Rose Kennedy Greenway takes the cake. Let’s explore its highlights:
Food Trucks, Beer Gardens, and Festivals
One of the coolest things about the Greenway is its food truck lineup, which changes regularly to offer delicious bites from local vendors. Hungry? Stop by Dewey Square or Rowes Wharf Plaza for a range of options.
For example, you might find yourself munching on some delicious tacos from Jamaica Mi Hungry, sampling some sweet treats from Bees and Thank You, or enjoying a savory slice from Paisani. And if you’re feeling thirsty? Head to the seasonal beer garden by Trillium Brewing Company or enjoy a crisp cider from City Winery.
The Greenway also throws some fantastic parties. Picture yoga classes under the open sky, summer concerts by Berklee College of Music, artisan markets, and outdoor movie nights. And don’t miss the Boston Local Food Festival in September!
Art on the Greenway: A Pop-Up Gallery Under the Sky
The Greenway isn’t your average patch of greenery; it’s a stage for some of the most eye-popping public art in the city. Forget stuffy museums—here, the art is free, bold, and always changing.
One standout? The rotating murals on the Dewey Square wall. Each fall, this towering canvas gets a fresh new look, with past creations ranging from Brazilian street art by Os Gêmeos to the surreal magic of Shara Hughes’ ‘Carving Out Fresh Options.’
And if you’re into interactive pieces, don’t miss Ross Miller’s ‘Harbor Fog’ sculpture, where your movement activates a cool mist—great on a summer's day.
Water Fountains in the Greenway
Speaking of cooling off, the Greenway’s fountains are the city’s ultimate heat-defying spot. Kids (and let’s be honest, plenty of adults) can’t resist the Rings Fountain, where dozens of jets shoot water into the air in a playful dance.
Or, for something calmer, visit the Chinatown Stream and enjoy the cascading water and bamboo walkways. And if you’re near the North or South Canal Fountains, prepare for wet feet! These canals are ideal for wading, splashing, or just relaxing by the water on a sunny day.
Eco-Friendly and Proud of It
The Greenway is not just beautiful and filled with food and fountains; it’s environmentally savvy. It’s Boston’s only fully organic public park, meaning no nasty chemicals and healthier plants.
This dedication to sustainability creates a safe haven for pollinators and ensures clean water runoff for Boston Harbor. Plus, the wildflower meadow and “pollinator ribbon” make it a great place to watch nature and a crucial support system for local insects.
Glow, Play, and Dream Big
From light-based installations in the ‘GLOW’ exhibit to whimsical structures like Mark Reigelman’s ‘Meeting House’, the Greenway loves to keep things playful. A favorite was Janet Echelman’s ‘As If It Were Already Here’, a massive aerial sculpture that hovered over the Fort Point Channel like a glowing net from the future.
Visiting the Rose Kennedy Greenway
The Rose Kennedy Greenway is all about inclusivity, and it shows in every detail. Paths are ADA compliant, ensuring that everyone can easily navigate the park. Open daily from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm the park is best accessed via public transport. Oh and if you were planning to bike your way through, heads up—biking, skateboarding, rollerblading, and Segways are prohibited within the park for safety reasons.
Other park rules include no smoking and while your dog is totally welcome, they’ll need to stay on a leash and, of course, be cleaned up after. Additionally, park activities like events or sound setups require written permits from the Greenway Conservancy and the City of Boston—at least these rules mean you can expect a peaceful, laid-back vibe as you wander through the greenway!
Go Beyond the Rose Kennedy Greenway with CityDays!
The Rose Kennedy Greenway is just one of the many amazing attractions in Boston, and if you’re looking to make your visit even more exciting, CityDays has you covered with scavenger and treasure hunt tours across the city—and around the world!
These tours are perfect for team-building exercises, combining fun challenges with fascinating insights into Boston’s past and present. For example, beginning at Christopher Columbus Park, our 2 km Finding Freedom trail guides visitors through some of the oldest and most storied parts of the city, including landmarks such as the Old State House, Post Office Square, and Quincy Market.
