Celebrating 10 years of The Greenway at Greenway Week
Join the Greenway Conservancy in celebrating 10 years of management and care of The Greenway, the contemporary public park in the heart of Boston. Greenway Week, from October 4th to October 10th, reflects on and features this dynamic public space.
Friday October 4
We are kicking off Greenway Week by taking a look backwards to see how far we’ve come! From the harbor that was filled to create downtown neighborhoods, to the elevated highway running through a growing city, and finally into the park we enjoy today, this space has been through so many changes. Follow us on social media to see historical images throughout the day!
This years public art exhibition, the Auto Show, has helped mark our 10th anniversary by leading visitors to reflect on the former elevated Central Artery and the history of site as a transportation corridor. In particular, our Augmented Reality exhibit highlights the themes of history, transportation and the automobile within The Greenway. Learn more about this year’s art on Friday’s free Public Art Tour, 12p-1p.
Looking back at the last 10 years, the Greenway Conservancy’s Public Art program has paved the way for The Greenway to become a premier destination to see contemporary works of art in downtown Boston. Look back at all our past art exhibits and share your favorite pictures with #GreenwayArt.
Saturday October 5
It started with Boston’s first gourmet food truck in 2010. Today, the Greenway Food Truck Program has grown to more than 35 vendors across the park. Paired with our incredible Boston Public Market Farmers Market and Open Market bringing locally made goods to The Greenway – there’s something for every pallet on The Greenway! We asked our food trucks to come up with a special honey-based dish this week–stop by our food truck locations this week to enjoy!
Check out the area’s top food trucks for one big DELICIOUS fun filled day this Saturday, October 5 from 11a-5p at Boston Food Truck Festival on The Greenway!
You can also catch the first two performances of our specially commissioned dance performance Waterway/Lightway/Greenway by Public Displays of Motion, happening at 1p and 3p in and around the Rings Fountain.
Sunday October 6
Today we celebrate the Greenway fountains! Fun, relaxing, and refreshing, our seven water attractions always make a big splash with kids and adults alike. Take a moment today to find a fountain and make a splash!
To celebrate 10 years, the Conservancy completed major renovations to our signature Rings Fountain, adding vibrant, colored LED lighting that makes those summer nights even more special.
The Conservancy is constantly thinking about how to care for and improve The Greenway. Earlier this year, we received the Boston Society of Architects Commonwealth Award, recognizing “outstanding work on the dynamic transformation and activation of a portion of downtown Boston that was once lost to the Central Artery.” Read more about this award!
Monday October 7
The Greenway is an urban oasis thanks to our pioneering approach to landscape management, as well as our rich diversity of trees, shrubs, plants and beautiful blooms. We’re one of the only public parks in the region with a landscape that is maintained completely organically. Our organic landscape approach means healthier plants, a cleaner Boston Harbor, and a safer space for children, pets, and all. Ten years in and the parks are lush, green, and beautiful. Learn more about our organic program!
To celebrate 10 years of management and care of The Greenway, this year we planted 10,000 bulbs in our Carolyn Lynch Garden to bloom earlier this spring, and expanded our Pollinator Ribbon with the first bee hives in a public park and a new wildflower Meadow. Join our Horticulture staff for a tour of the bees, meadow, and compost tea operations on Monday’s free Garden Tour from 1:30p-3:00p.
Take a moment today to visit your favorite garden space on The Greenway and reflect on all that has changed in the last 10 years! You’ll also see our neighboring buildings lighting up green throughout the week.
Tuesday October 8
Urban parks like The Greenway are a place to unwind and relax your mind and body, as well as a place to get fit and active! What was once a place to sit in traffic is now a place to stretch and sweat.
The Greenway Fitness Program has annually offered free fitness classes throughout the park on varying days and times and has seen great success in attracting a wide range of instructors and participants. From goat yoga to zumba, Tai Chi to tango, more than 130 free classes in 2019 covered a range of workouts and abilities. Get your blood pumping with a special free fitness class by the UFC Gym Boston at 5:00p.
Need a relaxing escape instead? The Greenway is full of places to step away from it all. Calm your mind with Tea & Tranquility at the Armenian Heritage Park’s labyrinth at 4:00p.
Wednesday October 9
The evolution, beautification, and programming on The Greenway over the past 10 years would not have been possible without our family of supporters, partners, volunteers, artists, vendors, board members, and more. We give our thanks and gratitude to everyone that has helped The Greenway along the way. And as we look to the future, we envision a vibrant, inclusive, and evolving gathering place that offers, healthy green space, fun, engaging, and thought-provoking experiences, and a testing ground for new ideas.
On this day, we will be announcing the return of major programs in 2020, so follow us on social media and stay tuned!
The Greenway Conservancy is also innovative itself, as a non-profit organization with full responsibility for the park. Read more about how we work closely with the Greenway Business Improvement District, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the City of Boston to make The Greenway so special.
And remember, 80% of the Conservancy’s funding comes from private sources, including gifts from supporters like you. Please consider a gift to the Greenway Fund in honor of Greenway Week!
Thursday October 10
To cap off a week of reflection and celebration, share your favorite Greenway memory and join us for free Greenway Carousel rides and a beautiful dance performance!
Originally scheduled for Thursday, October 10, the below events have been postponed until Thursday, October 17 due to weather.
First up, our one-of-a-kind carousel Greenway Carousel at The Tiffany & Co. Foundation Grove will offer FREE ride all day on October 17 (postponed from 10/10). We’ll also be adding new Carousel songs on this day, based around the Auto Show theme of our public art. Cast your vote here for your favorites and then come listen to them on the day!
Then, join us for Celebrate: 10 Years of The Greenway at 5:30p on Thursday, October 17 (postponed from 10/10), featuring a free sweet treat from Cookie Monstah by the Rings Fountain, a few words from our Executive Director, and a specially commissioned, site-specific dance performance Waterway/Lightway/Greenway. This new work by Public Displays of Motion is inspired by the history of The Greenway and includes ~30 professional and community dancers, aged 14 – 75.
We can’t wait to celebrate 10 years of management and care of The Greenway!