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Mapping Boston's secret gardens: 25 of the many green spaces

By April Gardner
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By April Gardner
Rendering via wikimedia

Boston has 2,100 acres of parks, according to the Department of Parks and Recreation. Isn't it time you got out to enjoy them, before the winter hits? (And don't kid yourself, folks--according to the Farmer's Almanac and El Nino, our winter is going to be severe...again.)

For your entertainment, here is a map of parks, plazas, and green spaces that aren't as famously known as the Boston Common or the Public Garden. And though there are many listed here, there are just as many hidden pockets of greenery to enjoy before autumn turns them into a blaze of fiery color before they're blanketed with snow.

So grab a book, sketchpad, significant other, or your own wandering mind and get going.

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1. Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park

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Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02110
This park features a play area, gardens and views of the water. In addition to a regular roster of events, it gives you a chance to rest before or after a major meal in the North End.

2. North Square Park

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Moon Street
Boston, MA 02113
Part of the Freedom Trail, this small historic square offers benches next to the Paul Revere House.

3. St.Leonard's Peace Garden

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14 North Bennet Street
Boston, MA 02113
People from all over the world come to walk in the serenity of the Peace Garden; come early in the day.

4. Paul Revere Mall

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416 Hanover St
Boston, MA 02113
The PR mall is a nice little brick-paved park with a fountain and shady trees.

5. Langone Park

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542 Commercial Street
Boston, MA 02109
Pack some lunch, play some bocce, and when you're done, explore the North End.

6. Dewey Square Park

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Atlantic Ave
Boston, MA 02210
Visit Website
Food trucks, tables and proximity to South Station and downtown. Enjoy the mural before it changes out to the next in rotation.

7. Rowes Wharf Plaza

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60 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA 02110
Get thee to the harbor, where you can watch yachts and other calming scenes of the water.

8. North End Park

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Cross St
Boston, MA 02113
Designed as the North End neighborhood's "front yard," this wide lawn is perfect for picnics and a general misting by the Canal Fountain.

9. Fort Point Channel Parks

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Atlantic Ave & Oliver St
Boston, MA 02210
Public park with grassy areas and a wide range of plants & flowers, plus lawn chairs (!).

10. Chinatown Park

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A meandering path that's lined with water, bamboo and greens. And at the end, you'll find sheep sculptures. A whimsical park if you'll ever see one.

11. Armenian Heritage Park

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Come see the Labyrinth, a circular winding path paved in granite that celebrates life's journey; and the Abstract Sculpture, a split dodecahedron mounted on a reflecting pool. They reflect life's journey and the immigrant experience.

12. Copley Square

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Boylston St
Boston, MA 02130
A small park with lawns, a fountain, animal sculptures and a seasonal farmer's market and events. And you're in the heart of Back Bay.

13. Phillips Street Playground and Park

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21 Phillips Street
Boston, MA 02114
A recently renovated park located in Beacon Hill that has a playground for the kids in your group.

14. Piers Park

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95 Marginal St
Boston, MA 02128
A beautifully landscaped, $17 million park with harbor views, a fitness area, playgrounds and access to a community sailing center.

15. Boston National Historical Park

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1st Ave
Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 242-5611
(617) 242-5611
Good view of the city from here, and the benches are perfect for a snooze.

16. Back Bay Fens

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Back Bay Fens
Boston, MA 02215
This large green space has multiple gardens, playgrounds, ball fields and memorials, plus picnic areas. Stay for the floral aroma of the Kelleher Rose Garden.

17. Peters Park

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1205 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118
Perhaps the greatest dog park in the world, this space also has a kid's play area, tennis and basketball courts, and a garden.

18. Commonwealth Avenue Mall

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Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02116
This historical, long avenue features a path through trees, grassy areas, park benches and statues. Check out the beautiful architecture on either side of you.

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19. Millennium Park

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398 Gardner St
West Roxbury, MA 02132
A natural retreat with six miles of accessible trails, playing fields, a canoe launch and scenic views. See if you can fly your kite there.

20. Fenway Victory Gardens

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Boylston St
Boston, MA 02215
This literal WWII victory garden from 1942 is now made up of 7.5 acres of produce and flowers.

21. Prudential Center Courtyard & Garden

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800 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02199
What secret garden map would be complete without this gem, hidden in the center of the Prudential Mall? Lovely place to eat or read.

22. Boston Public Library

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700 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02116
(617) 536-5400
(617) 536-5400
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An Italian-style plaza in the center of a library, with tables to eat, read or otherwise relax? Yes, please.

23. One Post Office Square

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1 Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109
A gorgeous park with a trellis. And if you're too restless to relax, come for the fitness classes. Yes, Zumba has come here, too.

24. Dorothy & David Ramler Park

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130 Peterborough Street
Boston, MA 02215
Small city sanctuary filled with flowering trees designed to attract migrating birds. Bring your binoculars!

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1. Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park

Atlantic Avenue, Boston, MA 02110
This park features a play area, gardens and views of the water. In addition to a regular roster of events, it gives you a chance to rest before or after a major meal in the North End.
Atlantic Avenue
Boston, MA 02110

2. North Square Park

Moon Street, Boston, MA 02113
Part of the Freedom Trail, this small historic square offers benches next to the Paul Revere House.
Moon Street
Boston, MA 02113

3. St.Leonard's Peace Garden

14 North Bennet Street, Boston, MA 02113
People from all over the world come to walk in the serenity of the Peace Garden; come early in the day.
14 North Bennet Street
Boston, MA 02113

4. Paul Revere Mall

416 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02113
The PR mall is a nice little brick-paved park with a fountain and shady trees.
416 Hanover St
Boston, MA 02113

5. Langone Park

542 Commercial Street, Boston, MA 02109
Pack some lunch, play some bocce, and when you're done, explore the North End.
542 Commercial Street
Boston, MA 02109

6. Dewey Square Park

Atlantic Ave, Boston, MA 02210
Food trucks, tables and proximity to South Station and downtown. Enjoy the mural before it changes out to the next in rotation.
Atlantic Ave
Boston, MA 02210
Visit Website

7. Rowes Wharf Plaza

60 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA 02110
Get thee to the harbor, where you can watch yachts and other calming scenes of the water.
60 Rowes Wharf
Boston, MA 02110

8. North End Park

Cross St, Boston, MA 02113
Designed as the North End neighborhood's "front yard," this wide lawn is perfect for picnics and a general misting by the Canal Fountain.
Cross St
Boston, MA 02113

9. Fort Point Channel Parks

Atlantic Ave & Oliver St, Boston, MA 02210
Public park with grassy areas and a wide range of plants & flowers, plus lawn chairs (!).
Atlantic Ave & Oliver St
Boston, MA 02210

10. Chinatown Park

Boston, MA
A meandering path that's lined with water, bamboo and greens. And at the end, you'll find sheep sculptures. A whimsical park if you'll ever see one.

11. Armenian Heritage Park

Boston, MA
Come see the Labyrinth, a circular winding path paved in granite that celebrates life's journey; and the Abstract Sculpture, a split dodecahedron mounted on a reflecting pool. They reflect life's journey and the immigrant experience.

12. Copley Square

Boylston St, Boston, MA 02130
A small park with lawns, a fountain, animal sculptures and a seasonal farmer's market and events. And you're in the heart of Back Bay.
Boylston St
Boston, MA 02130

13. Phillips Street Playground and Park

21 Phillips Street, Boston, MA 02114
A recently renovated park located in Beacon Hill that has a playground for the kids in your group.
21 Phillips Street
Boston, MA 02114

14. Piers Park

95 Marginal St, Boston, MA 02128
A beautifully landscaped, $17 million park with harbor views, a fitness area, playgrounds and access to a community sailing center.
95 Marginal St
Boston, MA 02128

15. Boston National Historical Park

1st Ave, Charlestown, MA 02129
Good view of the city from here, and the benches are perfect for a snooze.
1st Ave
Charlestown, MA 02129
(617) 242-5611

16. Back Bay Fens

Back Bay Fens, Boston, MA 02215
This large green space has multiple gardens, playgrounds, ball fields and memorials, plus picnic areas. Stay for the floral aroma of the Kelleher Rose Garden.
Back Bay Fens
Boston, MA 02215

17. Peters Park

1205 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118
Perhaps the greatest dog park in the world, this space also has a kid's play area, tennis and basketball courts, and a garden.
1205 Washington St
Boston, MA 02118

18. Commonwealth Avenue Mall

Commonwealth Avenue, Boston, MA 02116
This historical, long avenue features a path through trees, grassy areas, park benches and statues. Check out the beautiful architecture on either side of you.
Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02116

19. Millennium Park

398 Gardner St, West Roxbury, MA 02132
A natural retreat with six miles of accessible trails, playing fields, a canoe launch and scenic views. See if you can fly your kite there.
398 Gardner St
West Roxbury, MA 02132

20. Fenway Victory Gardens

Boylston St, Boston, MA 02215