Beautifully manicured parks now welcome visitors to the Hub in this visionary urban enclave crafted within Boston's concrete jungle. After the Big Dig project moved once-elevated roadways underground, community and political leaders seized the newfound space and crafted what is called the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway. Designers set out to balance natural beauty and landscaped grace with the vitality of functional art. Parks are open 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Highlights include a fountain in the Wharf District Parks near the Aquarium T Station and Milk Street with holes arranged in a series of eccentric circles that spew chlorinated water as well Chinatown Park with a skillfully crafted Zen garden. The Greenway spans from Chinatown Park to Dewey Square Parks to the Wharf District Parks to the North End Parks. Click HERE to take an online tour of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway. Why not honor your mother by making her a permanent part of Boston history? Organizers at the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Mothers' Walk are offering 6" x 6" pavers as a way to honor your mom. The $500 gift allows you to immortalize your mother's name, an official certificate that cites her as an honoree as well as an invite to the Greenway inaugural event in the fall of 2008. Follow this link to purchase a paver. Follow The Greenway on Facebook.

Template:Library The Central Library is located in Copley Square and comprises two buildings. The McKim Building houses the non-circulating research and reference materials (also known as the "old" building), and the Johnson Building (known as the "new" building), houses the circulating collections. There are individual entrances, McKim on Dartmouth Street and Johnson on Boylston Street. Home to tens of thousands of books - all at the tip of your fingers (two forms of ID and a utility bill will get you a card). You can reserve books via website, and pick the books up when they become available. The best part about the library is the old part. It takes you back to a European vibe- and people are often found studying in the picture-worthy sitting room. The library was founded in 1852 as the first public library in the United States. A little know fact is a French ventriloquist named Alexandre Vattemare (aka Monsieur Alexandre) was one of the founding members of Public Library and donated books from Parisian libraries in order to persuade them to found a Boston library. To this day, it is the largest and busiest city library in the country. Don't dare keep your cell phone up or utter a decimeter over a whisper.... you'll be shunned for life. There is also a small cafe and a restaurant for food and beverage. The BPL is known for it's stunning murals painted by John Singer Sargent in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Free guided tours of the library are offered every day with the exception of Wed. A small and functional cafe (Sebastian's) and strangely empty Novel Restauraunt are in the McKim building. They are close proximity to a gem of hidden tranquility- the fountain and courtyard. The courtyard has chairs and tables, and benches. (you can stop to have a snack) even on a rainy day as the perimeter is covered. Along the other three walls rounds an arcaded promenade which is an almost exact facsimile of the arcade of the Cancelleria Palace in Rome. Frederick MacMonnies' "Bacchante and Infant Faun," is the bronze cast fountain statue. (viewing only) The Boston Public Library has assembled more than 3,500 e-books as well. The Boston Public Library system also offers FREE and "near FREE" passes to local museums. For a complete listing, click here. It is first come first serve,(but hardly anyone partakes) and you must get them for that same day. The Margaret and H.A. Rey Children's Room (named after the creators of Curious George and longtime BPL supporters) offers a great collection of kids' books and magazines, three On-line Public Access Catalogs, two Little Tikes computers for preschool children, and four Multimedia PCs, for ages 8 to 13, with Internet Access. A spacious room, the older children can enjoy their space amongst the littlest ones. Rich and constant programming includes concerts, storytime, crafts and weekly sing-alongs. There is a small (sadly shabby) play space, always crayons set out on the table, and there are (single) bathrooms which include diaper changing stations. In need of some upkeep, the space is still clean and stocked enough to make it a great "drop in" on a rainy day and even better for a planned event. Information on the events is not easy to eschew from the website, it is better to drop in and pick up the flyers. Summer is especially well programmed with events on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, (mornings and afternoons). Public Restroom: The restrooms and water fountains are in the basement near the elevators.

Considered to be in the Waterfront neighborhood on Atlantic Avenue, between Commercial Wharf and Long Wharf near Boston's Faneuil Hall and the North End neighborhood. The grassy park features flower-beds, a play lot, statue of Christopher Columbus, a fountain, and the Rose F. Kennedy Memorial Rose Garden, featuring numerous hybrid roses, including the John Kennedy rose. A wisteria covered trellis provides shade during the summer and is lighted in the winter with blue lights. A very romantic walk both summer and winter. Dogs: Frequented by North End and Waterfront dog owners, this waterfront park is characterized by open grassy lawns. Dogs must be on a leash. On hot summer days, the public can self-activate, and duck into, the spray from the fountain built for that purpose. Perfect for both adults and children to cool off on a hot day. Another fountain is constant and a wonderful area for self-reflection. The kid-friendly playground is centered around a large climbing structure. There are ladders, slides, and spots to hide from your buddies and a huge sand-box area. The play area is fenced and parents can relax and watch the action from the relative calm of the benches within the grounds. There are no swings, so you might find that kids over six or seven feel this area of the park is a little dull. It's definitely geared toward the younger set, which makes them feel safer. There are numerous drinking water fountains available. Waterfront and North End parents comment this playground area of the park can become really crowded. Because of its great location, it's a big field trip destination. If you don't want your kids to get "lost in the crowd," consider going early in the morning or later in the afternoon. HOLIDAY DISPLAY: A holiday light display is installed on the Trellis.

Also known as the Norman B. Leventhal Park at Post Office Square, constructed in 1991. It is among the best-loved public open space in Boston. During a spring lunch-break it is difficult to find a place to sit or even stroll through the park because of its popularity. The park is open to the public, but is privately owned and controlled by the Friends of Post Office Square Trust. Post Office Square was designed as the front yard to a group of Boston's most prestigious Class-A office towers. It reclaimed land from a dilapidated above-ground parking garage that was a blight on the district. The garage was relocated below ground, under the park. Bushes, plants and flowers edge sidewalks. A dense a canopy of large trees protects the park, providing shade in the summer and filtering the light in the winter. The ground cover, shrubs and trees define and reinforce sidewalks, fountains, art, and a restaurant featuring a gamut of building materials -- brick, stone, wood, metal and glass.