The Landscape Architect’s Guide to

North End Parks

Your Guide

The North End Parks stand where an elevated freeway once cleaved one of Boston’s oldest and most charming neighborhoods apart from the city. The North End’s new “front porch” is both a contemporary garden space and a gateway to the downtown areas of Government Center and Haymarket Square.

The terrace under the delicate but monumental trellis affords wonderful views of the Boston skyline, including the iconic Leonard P. Zakim Bridge. It would be hard to find a more perfect place for sitting, noshing, sunning, and people-watching. It’s simply a great place to relax to your heart’s content.

The North End Parks were designed by Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd and Crosby Schlessinger Smallridge.

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North End's "Front Porch"

The parks unite the two northern most parcels on the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway and act as a symbolic “front porch” for the Historic North End, the city’s oldest neighborhood, which is characterized by narrow winding streets and a strong Italian-American community.

Image: Chris Whitis / Site Phocus north2

Four Linear Elements

The parks’ structure is comprised of four linear elements that run the length of each parcel: an elevated perennial garden; open lawn, on-grade fountain, and a contemporary trellis feature.

Image: Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Flickr north3

Water Jets

Running the length of each trellis, two simple, textured water tables are among the parks’ most popular areas. Vertical water jets add sparkle, movement, and joy to this elegant feature, which is perfect for a barefoot lark often had by dozens or more children of all ages.

Image: Gustafson Guthrie Nichol north4

A Fountain Where There Was Once a Canal

The form of the fountain refers to an historic canal that once ran through the site, connecting the harbor to industry. Throughout the North End Parks, graphics depict and explain the rich history of the site.

Image: Rose F. Kennedy Greenway Flickr north5

A Contemporary Trellis

The angled trellis extends towards expansive views of the Boston skyline. Beneath the trellis, moveable site furnishings provide seating options.

Image: Gustafson Guthrie Nichol north6

Gently Sloping Upwards

The lawn gently slopes upwards, away from the trellis in order to provide partial screening of the surface traffic on the edge of the park. The city backdrop includes three of the venting towers which appear along the length of the Greenway.

Image: JP Shadley, Shadley Associates north7

A Place for Locals

The parks act as an important open space for the community. They are the ideal location for just reading the paper or enjoying a picnic lunch from one of the many fantastic nearby North End or Haymarket establishments.

Image: JP Shadley, Shadley Associates north8

And, Really, Everyone

Among the most used of the Rose F. Kennedy Greenway parks, the North End Parks create spaces that are equally welcoming to local residents, tourists, and employees in the nearby Financial District.

Image: JP Shadley, Shadley Associates north10

Encircled by Plants

Plants enclose the space. See the colorful array of spring blooming daffodils and summer perennials. Perennials found here include Russian sage, lavender, purple cone flower, iris, and daylilies. Shade and flowering trees along with shrubs also encircle the spaces.

Image: Andrew Arbaugh, Shadley Associates