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.

This large play area has safe and well maintained climbing structures, sandboxes, swing sets and open play areas, making this location very popular with youngsters and parents alike. After you've done Newbury Street, take the kids over to the Clarendon Street Playground. This is the spot where real city kids hang out. Inside the fenced and gated area, you'll find lots of playing possibilities. The equipment is fairly new and the playground is kept reasonably clean. Climbing is the big attraction; several structures invite children of all ages to test their muscles. There are slides (large and small), and bucket and sling swings, a sand area, and a tire swing. Free-use toys galore: Tonka trucks, riding toys and even a few plasma cars. The play surfaces are mostly sand. There is plenty of shade all day. For kids who need to run, the playground has a large open area where kids can play soccer, tag, or a small-scale game of baseball. Watch toddlers around the many steps that lead to this area - when they venture down alone, scraped arms and knees may ensue.
Clarendon street playground is celebrating it's 30th birthday on Monday September 29th 2008 4PM - all welcome for play.

The fountain is open to children in the summer, but water shoes are required.

Braddock Park is a very small "park" located in the South End. It doesn't really count as a park because it is in the middle of a road, much like Union Park's fountain. However, it is a pretty example of Victorian neighborhood architecture, and it leads to the Southwest Corridor Park system of the South End.

The Dartmouth Park/Garden, also known as the Dartmouth Pocket Park, is located in the South End of Boston. If you aren't careful you will miss it, simply because of it's size. It literally looks like the size of a small backyard, however, the bench nestled amongst the huge trees and shrubbery, create an oasis for this neighborhood in the South End. This park is associated with the South End Lower Roxbury Open Space Land Trust (whew!) a.k.a. SELROSLT and is maintained by this organization.

Titus Sparrow Park is in the South End between Huntington and Columbus Streets, next to the Southwest Corridor. It's a great family-friendly enclave secluded within the hustle and bustle of the city. They have tennis, basketball courts, a jungle gym and a grassy area that's perfect for a picnic. Also, the Titus Sparrow Park is a great spot to walk your dog (on-leash). Titus Sparrow Park was created in 1976, and after nearly 30 years of intensive use, the Boston Parks Department gave Titus Sparrow Park a major rehabilitation. Since reopening in 2005, the park is more heavily used than ever by all ages all over it -- sledding, rolling, sun-bathing, sitting, football and baseball games, and splendid children's programs and evening concerts in the summer. On a warm weekend the basketball courts, swings, play structures, and tennis courts will be packed. There's even a pet water fountain for all of the neighborhood dogs. Titus Sparrow Park is named for an active resident of the South End, Titus Sparrow. Founder of the Sportsmen's Tennis Club and the first African American umpire in the USTA, Titus Sparrow developed a progam that allows less fortunate children to learn the game of tennis for free. Today, the park is bustling with children and adults of all ages. The beautiful landscape and fun play structures make it a popular meeting place for nannies and parents alike. The South End is famous for it's parks, however, Titus Sparrow is definitely one of the nicest in the neighborhood. The park is primarily volunteer-maintained by the "Friends of Titus Sparrow Park." Currently, they need volunteers to help with gardening, graphic design, and public relations. For more details, see their volunteer page. There are 15 community gardens, open to residents of the four neighborhoods involved in designing the park.

There are two separate play spaces located in the heart of this South End playground. Both have wooden climbing structures with slides and both are fenced in with a surrounding garden space. A fun playground to entertain your toddlers and more experienced climbers. The park, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens, is a quiet and peaceful spot. Visitors are often treated to impromptu recitals from practicing musicians. The playground, adjacent to the park, is nice but a bit small. It has one jungle gym with a slide and some rings for those who want to "just hang." There are no swings, but there is sand. Bring a bucket and shovel for your little diggers. It's perfect for smaller children who don't need the "bells and whistles" that larger playgrounds offer.

Small triangle of greenspace most likely named for E. M. Statler, the creator of the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and Towers.

You know the kid who got more attention growing up, who consequently became the favorite? That's the Public Gardens compared to its "ugly" counterpart, the Boston Common. Always pristine, always in everyone's wedding photos- this park is beautiful. Manicured with the best flowers, and shrubbery sculpted weekly- The Public Gardens is the city's crown jewel of parks. Situated at the head of both Back Bay and Beacon Hill, the park offers a beautiful lake, the famous bronze ducks sculpture (from a great children's book), swan tours (big boat shaped like swans), a wonderful bridge, and small little fountains at the corners. The statues of note-worthy Bostonians gives the park a "larger-than-life" feel. The Public Garden has been compared to Oz. You almost feel comfortable enough to run around barefoot in the grass. In the summer, you'll find musicians playing soft music. By fall, the leaves on the trees change and the park transforms into a picture-worthy playground. Set up a picnic, or just come to stroll. You won't be disappointed.

This new playground, built on a wood chip surface, has two separate climbing structures for toddlers, bucket and open seat swings, slides and a gated area for hopscotch and ball playing.