North End
You will find the North End Parks between New Sudbury Street and North Street.
The parks reflect the comfortable scale of the adjacent North End neighborhood. Spacious lawns surrounded by densely planted perimeter beds define these parks that were designed by Crosby, Schlessinger, Smallridge LLC and Gustafson Guthrie Nichol Ltd.
Along the eastern edge, a trellis “pergola” covers a long “front porch” that provides both a place for sitting and an overlook for the lawn and the historic architecture beyond. A shallow water “canal” runs the length with vertical water jets adding sparkle and movement. This fountain harkens back to a century ago when a canal connected the harbor to important industrial operations.
The parks include ideal spots for storytelling programs in the summer, picnics or sunbathing on the grass, and enjoying lunch or a snack from one of the nearby North End or Haymarket establishments. Children love the canal where they can wet their feet or watch their flip flops swirl around. It’s a great place to relax at the end of the day, meet friends or watch passersby to your heart’s content.
Plants displayed here evoke a formal feel of past European style gardens with boxwood hedges enclosing a colorful array of spring blooming daffodils and summer perennials. Favorite perennials found here are Russian sage, lavender, purple cone flower, iris, and daylilies. Several flowering trees and shrubs encircle the gardens.
The North End Parks are easily accessible by Commuter Rail from North Station or subway from Haymarket.
Armenian Heritage Park on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, Boston
Armenian Heritage Park, which is now open, acknowledges the history of Boston as a port of entry for immigrants worldwide, and celebrates those who have migrated to Massachusetts shores and contributed to the richness of American life and culture.
Located just south of the North End Parks, between Faneuil Hall and Christopher Columbus Park, the park consists of two key features surrounded by seating, brick paving and landscaping.
The Abstract Sculpture, a split dodecahedron mounted on a reflecting pool, represents the immigrant experience. Annually, the two halves will be reconfigured symbolic of all who pulled away from their country of origin and came to the Massachusetts shores, establishing themselves in new and different ways. The water of the Reflecting Pool wash over its sides and re-emerge as a single jet of water at the center of the Labyrinth, representing hope and rebirth. The Sculpture is dedicated to lives lost during the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 and all genocides that have followed.
The Labyrinth, a circular winding path paved in granite and set in lawn, celebrates life's journey. A single jet of water and the symbol of eternity mark its center. Art, Service, Science and Commerce are etched around its circle in tribute to accomplishments and contributions made to American life and culture.
Armenian Heritage Park was funded and is maintained by donations from the Armenian Heritage Foundation, who also provided this description of the park.
