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History

The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway was conceived in the tradition of the world's grandest urban parks. The Greenway Conservancy was created to be the official steward of the Greenway.

The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway builds upon Boston's remarkable history of green spaces 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 complements city life in many ways. People come to experience the infectious energy of a performance one day, and come back for a peaceful stroll through the gardens the next.

The first Greenway parks opened in the fall of 2007 and spring of 2008. 

The creation of this urban oasis was 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.

On August 11, 2008, Governor Deval Patrick signed legislation giving the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy responsibility to maintain, program, improve and manage the Greenway. On February 10, 2009 the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority and the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy signed a lease officially giving this responsibility to the Conservancy. So many public officials, legislators and community leaders helped to assure this public/private partnership for the Greenway. 

The Conservancy's responsibility is to operate the parks with and on behalf of the public, and to raise significant private contributions every year in tandem with continued investment by the Commonwealth. Our goal is to keep the Greenway clean, green and welcoming to all, a treasure for all residents, workers and visitors to the City.