The Boston Public Garden is the second link in the so-called Emerald Necklace, a series of publicly accessible parks and pathways linked together in the heart of Boston.
The Public Garden consists of about 24 acres of land and water and was officially established for the city of Boston in 1837.
This unique piece of parkland, which was designed by George V. Meacham, has the distinction of being the very first public botanical garden in the United States.
The garden consists of formal plantings of blooming flowers carefully and colorfully arranged in striking patterns along walkways and in symmetrically balanced flowerbeds.
A wide variety of plant material is used in order to insure an interesting mixture of colors, shapes, textures, and sizes of flowering vegetation on prominent display, particularly during the warmer months.
Well-manicured expanses of grassy areas also abound throughout the Boston Public Garden.
The lagoon-like lake, surrounded by towering mature trees, is the focal point of the garden.
Meandering walkways lead around the lake, and a pedestrian footbridge over the water allows for great observation (and photo) opportunities of the famous Swan Boats.
These boats, in operation during the warm summer months since the late 1870’s, allow visitors a leisurely and quiet tour of the lake—quiet because of the unique pedal-power drive system of the boats.
Public art is also on display in the Boston Public Garden.
One of the more striking statues depicts George Washington on horseback.
This piece is prominently located near the park exit/entrance that leads to the next leg of the Emerald Necklace system—the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.
The Boston Public Garden is a treasured jewel in the park system—the perfect place for families, sunbathers, casual musicians, painters, writers, readers, or for those just looking for a relaxing stroll through a beautiful outdoor setting—a calming touch of the natural world right in the heart of a thriving city.
