Not Your Typical Emerald Necklace

They say diamonds are a girl’s best friend, but in Boston the jewel of choice is the emerald. And not just any old emerald, THE Emerald Necklace to be precise. No, there isn’t a secret stash of crown-jewel-type baubles hidden somewhere in Boston – at least as far as I know – but there is a string of beautiful parks and green spaces linked together by parkways an waterways to create a “necklace” around the Boston peninsula.  

The Emerald Necklace comprises half of Boston’s public park acreage, and is the only remaining intact linear park designed by America’s first landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. Some of Boston’s most well-known parks lie on this seven mile chain including Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the Riverway Park, Arnold Arboretum, and probably the most famous Boston Public Garden.

Located in the heart of Boston, the Public Garden was established in 1837 as the first botanical garden in the United States. The site maintains its Victorian traditions with decorative flowery, meandering paths, and exotic imported trees. 

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One of the most popular attractions at the Public Garden is the Swan Boats which can be seen sailing around the lagoon in the spring and summer. The Swan Boats date back to the 1870’s when Robert Paget capitalized on the growing popularity of the bicycle by developing a catamaran to house foot-propelled paddle wheel at the back of the boat. He used a wooden swan to cover the captain and Swan Boat tours became a Boston sensation. The boats are still managed by the Paget family today. 

So if you’re in need for a leisurely stroll or some serious quality time with nature be sure to check out at least one of the Emerald Necklace parks. They truly are a Boston gem. 

For More Information

ACHA 2013 Annual Meeting 
Emerald Necklace Conservancy
Commonwealth Avenue Mall
The Riverway Park
Arnold Arboretum
Friends of the Boston Public Garden
Swan Boat Tours

Image Credits - Wikipedia