The Massachusetts State House
Frederick Law Olmsted never touched Boston Common, but his sons did. About 1913, their firm supervised the paving of walkways, the replenishment of the soil, and the moving of 15-ton trees.
Boston Common Public Garden
Commonwealth Avenue Mall Back Bay Fens
The Riverway
Olmsted Park Jamaica Pond Franklin Park
Arnold Arboretum
Boston Common
Founded in 1634
The oldest park in the United States, the Common has been shared land since 1634 and holds a unique place in the history of Boston and the nation. Though the landscape has changed from pastures and militia training grounds to a well-loved park with open lawns, shaded pathways, ballfields, tennis courts and a playground, the Common remains an active meeting ground in the heart of historic Boston. For over 350 years it has been a center and a mirror of civic life.
Though he did not design the first three parks - Boston Common, the Public Garden and Commonwealth Avenue Mall - he did envision the new and older parks working together as a system. And he believed they should work in many ways.
Public Garden
created in 1837
The Boston Public Garden was established in 1837 by a group of Proprietors as the first public botanical garden in the United States. In 1852 it was returned to city control, and after passage of the Public Garden act of 1858, it was laid out essentially in its present form. The beauty of the Boston Public Garden lies in the Lagoon, Swan Boats, sculpture, fountains, elaborate flower beds, and its notable trees. All these features make the park a favorite spot for small weddings (by permit).
Olmsted designed this park system in the later 19th century to provide a common ground to which all people could come for healthful relief from the pollution, noise and overcrowding of city life. Carriages, horseback riders and pedestrians could enjoy their recreations, and Bostonians could find places for both active play and quiet contemplation. He reshaped the topography to solve major drainage and sewage problems and to create a rustic environment.
Study these green spaces more closely and you'll find they are far from naturally occurring phenomena. They are feats of engineering, marvels of visionary urban planning, corridors of transportation, contributors to the public health, and a canvas upon which an artist has worked in plants, trees, earth and water instead of oils.
Emerald Necklace
Boston, MA, United states
波士顿公园系统
A Sho art of landscape design
The artist we refer to here is Frederick Law Olmsted who, for his vision and craft, is known as the father of landscape architecture. He designed the Boston Park system we affectionately call the Emerald Necklace, a string of nine continuous parks.