Photo: City of Boston
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — America's first public park could be getting a major makeover.
Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and the Friends of the Public Garden unveiled their new "Boston Common Master Plan" Wednesday that will help reshape the Common by adding new and improving existing infrastructure in the park. The plan is estimated to cost between $100 to $200 million.
The new plan covers a wide range of improvements in the Boston Common, with the goal of making it more versatile for different events and amenities, adding to the overall nature and aesthetic of the park, making the park more accessible, and improving safety and maintenance.
“Boston Common’s gorgeous tree-lined paths and open spaces have hosted so many moments marked in history, from shaping our collective conscience to celebrating our communities,” Mayor Wu said in a statement. “We’re excited to be sharing a plan that honors the Common’s history, reflects the community’s vision, and creates a space that will be more accessible, more resilient, and more inclusive for generations to come.”
Some of the new plans include adding basketball courts and a new enclosed dog park, along with an expansion of the Frog Pond to add a splash pad and a newly expanded pavilion with dining areas. The current baseball fields and tennis courts will be reconfigured to allow for multi-sport use and to create new space for events to be held, without damaging the grass.
A rendering of what the new athletic fields will look like.Photo: City of Boston
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The Parkman Bandstand will also be renovated to add a new ramp to make it fully accessible, with additional improvements to pathways and extra seating options around the landmark. The nearby concession plaza, home to the Earl of Sandwich, will also get expanded to allow for more seating and new event space.
An overview of the improvements for the Parkman Bandstand area.Photo: City of Boston
More general improvements across the Common include planting new trees, increasing the number of benches and places to sit, and improving walkways and entranceways.
A public comment period is open from now until Nov. 30 for residents to share their views and opinions on the proposal.
WBZ's Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports.
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