Thanks in part to the ambitious suggestion by Frederick Law Olmsted in the late 19th century for a system of connective landscape projects leading to the coast -- only partly realized -- almost half of South Boston’s waterfront is held in publicly accessible beaches, parkways, and recreation facilities.

William Day Boulevard captures the outer ends of the entire Southie neighborhood grid, thereby connecting nearly all residents with the coast in a matter of minutes. In spite of great density, in summer, this part of town possesses the salt air and relaxed mood of an ocean village. Yachts and canoes, private clubs, crowded city concessions, and vast stretches of sand on Carson Beach stand in juxtaposition to the city’s familiar skyline beyond.