The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway was conceived in the tradition of the world's grandest urban parks: Battery Park City in New York City, Vondel Park in Amsterdam, and Las Ramblas in Barcelona. It builds upon Boston's remarkable history of greenspaces like Boston Common, the Fenway, the Public Garden, the Charles River Esplanade, and Post Office Square. Drawing inspiration from these magical places, as well as from the vibrant neighborhoods it connects, the Greenway will compliment city life in many different ways. People will come to experience the infectious cultural energy of a performance one day, then come back for a peaceful stroll through the gardens the next.

The creation of this urban oasis has been a joint effort of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston and citizens groups. In 2004, the non-profit Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy was founded as the official steward of the Greenway.

The first Greenway parks, North End Parks, Chinatown Park and Wharf District Parks opened in the fall of 2007 and spring 2008.