When I was a kid my parents did their best to avoid going into Boston. Most of my memories of Boston involve driving over this huge elevated highway that disected the city. While I was away in California, Boston undertook the “Big Dig” project to the put that and other roadways underground. The results have been fantastic… the city is now inviting and walkable, with this beautiful greenway where an ugly highway once stood. Every time I cross the greenway I still stop to admire the beautiful views. One thing is for sure… my kids memories of the city will be very different than mine!
Boston has always been quite walkable and inviting. The “Emerald Necklace” designed by Olmsted was first on the scene long before the new Kennedy Greeway.
Boston has never been “uninviting” you just had to venture off the expressway.
While I agree the city is nicer with the old elevated expressway gone, it has always been quite walkable and beautiful. From the North End you could walk to Copley along the beautiful Esplanade, then walk from Copley to downtown along part of the Emerald Necklace, the Commonwealth Ave mall (which isn’t a “mall” in today’s sense of the word). Through the public garden, then to Boston Common. Which btw to a true Bostonian is NEVER referred to as “the commons”.
Other walks could be through the fens, and victory gardens to the MFA, or even the southeast corridor which is now green space all the way to Forrest Hills through JP. This green space replaced the elevated orange line in 1987.
For even more adventure, Christopher Columbus park along the waterfront, Lars Andersen park which is on the cusp of Boston in Brookline, but walk to from the Emerald Necklace.
For those with the time and energy, walk from the jewel of the necklace, which is the public garden, all the way up comm ave, to the River way, Jamaica Way, Arbor Way to the best gem of them all… The Arnold Arboretum.
Then there is Franklin Park… and…
Boston has always been Inviting, filled with green space and walkable.
Thanks Chris for the great comment about Boston. You’re totally right, Boston has always been a beautiful city. My perspective has been as that of an outsider and it has been a real joy to be discovering all the gems the city has to offer. Thanks too for the pointers to other gems I may not have found yet… looks like there are still many, many photo excursions in the city in my future.