This summer, The Greenway’s fountains got a major refresh—just in time for thousands of Bostonians and visitors seeking fun, cooling, and connection in the heart of the city. With improvements to the Rings Fountain and the Chin Park Waterfall and Stream, our Maintenance team has been hard at work behind the scenes to make sure two of Boston’s most-loved water features continue to inspire joy and offer relief on hot summer days for years to come.

Why Water Features Matter More Than Ever

From children watching the lights of Ring Fountain to community members enjoying the soothing sounds of running water, The Greenway’s seven water features do more than just beautify our beloved park. As Boston faces record-breaking summer heat, year after year, they’ve become critical gathering spaces where people can safely cool down, stay active, and feel connected to their community.

• Publicly accessible water features offer a number of benefits to communities, including:
• Families with young children can find a free, safe, and joyful way to beat the heat.
• Older adults benefit from shady seating and the calming presence of water.
• Neighborhoods like Chinatown, which face unique challenges from urban heat, gain a vital resource for health and comfort.

In a city where green space is limited, fountains are more than just decorative—they’re essential.

The Greenway’s beloved Rings Fountain

Described by The Boston Globe as “the most unconditionally happy spot in all of Boston,” Rings Fountain has been delighting visitors since 2008. With 60 water jets, 156 lights, and more than 3 miles of wire beneath its granite surface, the choreographed water jets of this fountain create playful, ever-changing patterns that have made it one of the most iconic destinations in the city.

2025 Upgrades

• This summer, our team performed a variety of important updates to Rings Fountain, including:
  Removed and reset more than 360 granite slabs and 60 concrete pavers (together weighing about 70,000 pounds!).
  Replaced 120 pneumatic hoses and rebuilt or swapped 14 solenoid valves that control the jets.
  Sealed 16 copper line leaks and refreshed 10 light fixtures.

The result? A renewed fountain that looks as magical as ever—while continuing to operate with less than 2% downtime each season.

Chin Park Waterfall and Stream

Just a short walk away in Chinatown, the Chin Park Waterfall and Stream offers visitors a tranquil nature break from the summer heat. Designed in 2005, the 100-foot-long water feature winds past bamboo and cherry trees, creating a refreshing oasis in the middle of the city.

2025 Upgrades

To keep the fountain operating well and ensure it brings joy to visitors for many years to come, this summer our team:

• Installed a new waterproofing layer to prevent leaks.
• Restored the granite blocks to their original positions.
• Replaced and rearranged the Mexican beach pebbles to bring back the stream’s natural look and movement.

Now, visitors can once again enjoy the sights and sounds of water moving through the waterfall and stream’s three sections in a captivating design that both delights and refreshes visitors of all ages.

Thank You for a Great Fountain Season!

As the temperatures begin to cool, The Greenway’s water features will be shut off for the season during the second week of October. While the fountains rest for the winter, we want to thank you for another joyful summer filled with laughter, play, and community connection in and around these beloved spaces. Whether you cooled down by the Rings Fountain, paused along the Chin Park Waterfall and Stream, or found your own favorite spot here on The Greenway, we hope these community spaces added a little magic to your summer.

Thank You to Our Supporters

Project support for the Chinatown Serpentine Stream Fountain is provided by major funding from the City of Boston Community Preservation Act and the George B. Henderson Foundation. Additional funding generously provided by MassDOT.

From spring’s first visitors to the last warm September afternoons, every splash, shimmer, and ripple this year was made possible thanks to the dedication of our staff and the generosity of our community. We can’t wait to welcome you back to The Greenway fountains when they return in 2026!