EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

DRAFT 2022
The Boston Common Master Plan is an aspirational
yet pragmatic framework for exciting and substantive
change at this deeply historic and culturally significant
public park. Each recommendation described within
these pages builds upon what already makes this
cherished public space successful and paves the way
toward a sustainable and resilient future for Boston
Common.
Known as the “people’s park,” the Boston Common
requires a plan that coalesces many competing needs
to create a unified vision that will serve the people of
Boston and visitors alike. Five principles are set forth
to guide all recommendations. They focus on shared
use and care, visitor experience and engagement,
and the balance of upholding historic character and
serving contemporary needs. An inclusive stakeholder
and public involvement process helped develop the
goals and objectives that underpin the master plan
vision and guiding principles.
Outreach and engagement with the people who
use, enjoy, and work in the Common has grounded
this master plan. Not only a worldwide landmark,
Boston Common is also a city-wide public space
and neighborhood park. It serves an enormous
range of people. Thus, a wide range of viewpoints,
needs, and desires are woven throughout all these
recommendations.
The report walks the reader through the
recommendations of the master plan in a clear
and unified manner. First, the vision, guiding
principles, goals and objectives contextualize the
proposed improvements to the built environment
and recommendations around operational and
management upgrades. Next, a brief history of the
Common summarizes key moments and references
previous planning efforts, which has informed the
master plan. Driven by a robust outreach strategy
to “bring the Common to the people” across the city
and on-the-ground inventorying and analysis, the
planning process has been guided by the connective
thread of civic access and engagement. These
findings were channeled into recommendations for
both improvements to the physical landscape and
operational adjustments that will support capital
investments.
Recommendations for improvements to the built
environment run the gamut from small tweaks
to significant proposals, driven by the Common’s
deeply historic roots and its service to the city
today and into the future. Park-wide strategies are
introduced that weave through three major themes
for recommendations: clarifying and coordinating
park edges and entrances, connecting and upgrading
core visitor amenities, and enhancing and diversifying
active recreation opportunities. Think of each of these
proposals as a feasibility study of what is possible in
a given area of the Common. As these projects are
implemented, the designs will be refined and fine-
tuned based on continued input from the public and
stakeholders.
The section outlining operational and management
upgrades describes the back-of-house support
needed for improvements to the built environment
to be successful long-term. Recommendations are
focused on establishing park management protocols,
improving support facilities, and bolstering events
and programming.
This master plan is a call to action. These recently
challenging times are evidence that, now more than
ever, parks and open spaces within dense urban
environments are critical to a healthy and vibrant
society. As the first land to be officially established
as a public open space, the Common should again
become a pioneer in how these important places can
be successful. By continuing to anticipate and support
the needs of this park and its users, Boston Common
can set a precedent for what it means to reinvest in
and celebrate our nation’s most treasured places.

ONLINE SURVEY POP-UP “MINI-COMMON” OPEN HOUSE

• Offered in four languages
• 4,500 responses
• 29% of people want beautified
landscape features
• 28% want improved physical
infrastructure
• 41% say physical condition is fair
2 DRAFT
• 13 events throughout Boston
neighborhoods
• Over 6,000 voices heard
• “Keep the Common free”
• “Better programming and events”
• “More trees”
• 2 in-person + 1 virtual series
• Overview of work to date
• Presentation of opportunities and
concept designs
• Feedback collection
 TODAY...
SHAW 54TH
MEMORIAL
BEACO N STREE T

PA
BEACO N M ALL

RK
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AR
BRIM M

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MER ST LIBERTY
RO

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PA T
H NG MALL
TADPOLE PA PARK
PARADE FROG TH
PLAYGROUND STREET
GROUND POND STATION

LY M
BREWER

TH
CH AR LE S ST RE

A
SOLDIERS
PAVILION

N PA
AND SAILORS FOUNTAIN

S PA
M AC AR TH UR

MONUMENT

TH
E
OLM
ALK
R S W

LL H
M AY O VISITOR
ET

E INFORMATION
M AL L

END
CENTER
ER W

PARKMAN
BASEBALL BANDSTAND LL
OLIV

FIELD MA
D
CONCESSION R OA
PAVILION IL
RA
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SOFTBALL
ET
ST AL

FIELD
T M
ON TE
EM YET

TENNIS
COURTS
T R FA
LA

CENTRAL DEER PARK

BURYING MAINTENANCE
BO
YLS
GROUND YARD “Boston Common has
TO
N S
TR
E ET
always been a park by and
BOYLSTON for the people of our city...
STREET
0 250 500
STATION We are now able to augment
the current historic levels
of funding to fully renovate
America’s first public park
while preserving its rich
heritage.”
- Boston Parks Commissioner
Ryan Woods
DRAFT 3
 GUIDING PRINCIPLES
Destination Balance of Champion
Many Things to Historic and
and Park Use and for Resilient
All People Contemporary
Crossroads Care Approaches

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

VISION

GOAL #1 GOAL #2 GOAL #3 GOAL #4 GOAL #5

Support and Strengthen the Expand amenities Improve safety, Improve the
Vision shapes the proposed improvements

sustain a multi- park’s natural, to support park maintenance, and natural and
functional park for historic, cultural, visitors. management of physical
the full diversity and visual the Common. infrastructure
of users from all landscape of the Common
backgrounds and character. for quality and
neighborhoods. resilience.

Investment in operations and management ensure long-term

success of built improvements

RESTORE AND CLARIFY PARK

MANAGEMENT UPGRADES
IMPROVE
IMPROVEMENTS TO THE

EDGES AND ENTRANCES

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

SUPPORT

OPERATIONAL AND
FACILITES
DEPLOY ESTABLISH
COMMON- CONNECT AND UPGRADE PARK
WIDE CORE VISITOR AMENITIES MANAGEMENT
STRATEGIES PROTOCOLS
STRENGTHEN
DAILY AND
ENHANCE AND DIVERSIFY SPECIAL EVENT
ACTIVE RECREATION MANAGEMENT
OPPORTUNITIES

Above: Boston Common Master Plan vision diagram

Below, left to right: Pop-Up Mini-Common at the African Festival,
August 2019, Workshop discussion with the public at Open House #2

4 DRAFT
 ...TOMORROW
B EACO N STREE T
5

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9

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21 17
CH AR LE S ST RE

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6 ALK
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M AY O
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16

15 14
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DEPLOY COMMON-WIDE RESTORE AND CLARIFY PARK
STRATEGIES EDGES AND ENTRANCES
5. Accessible Entrance at the
11. Tree Planting (throughout) Shaw 54th Memorial
6. Charles Street Mid-block
Crossing at Mayor’s Walk
22. Seating (throughout) 7. Park Street Station Plaza
8. Boylston Street Station Plaza
9. Beacon and Charles Street
33. Access and Wayfinding
(throughout)
Entrance
10. Boylston and Charles Street
Entrance
44. Event Infrastructure
(throughout)
11
11. Park Perimeter Upgrades (all)
CONNECT AND UPGRADE CORE ENHANCE AND DIVERSIFY ACTIVE
VISITOR AMENITIES RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES
12. Improvements to the Frog Pond 18. Athletic Field Upgrades and
and Pavilion Reconfiguration
13. Visitor Information Center (VIC) 19. Court Expansion
Addition and Park-side Plaza 20. Enclosed Dog Recreation Area
14. Improvements to the Parkman 21. Tadpole Playground Expansion
Bandstand
15. Improvements to the Parkman
Concessions Plaza
16. Connections with the King
Memorial
DRAFT 5
17. Landmark Loop
 IMPROVEMENTS TO THE
BUILT ENVIRONMENT

Above: Proposed view of the Common looking east

The Boston Common Master Plan’s vision for the Common will serve the people of Boston and visitors alike
while protecting this special place for generations to come. The plan imagines a future for the Common that
embodies civic access and engagement with a profound sense of identity and a deep-rooted connection to
this historic yet vibrant city. To meet the vision’s guiding principles, goals, and objectives, recommendations for
improvements to the built environment are categorized into four distinct actionable themes:

• Deploy Common-wide strategies

• Restore and clarify park edges and entrances
• Connect and upgrade core visitor amenities
• Enhance and diversify active recreation opportunities

Summarized in the following pages, the themes, and project ideas within each theme, work from the edges of the
park inward and focus attention on both distinct upgrades to specific areas of the park and broader strategies
that can be applied across all project ideas, as articulated in the section covering Common-wide strategies.
6 DRAFT
 Tree Planting

DEPLOY COMMON-WIDE
STRATEGIES Seating

Access and Wayfinding

Event Infrastructure

RESTORE AND CLARIFY CONNECT AND ENHANCE AND

PARK EDGES AND UPGRADE CORE DIVERSIFY ACTIVE
ENTRANCES VISITOR AMENITIES RECREATION
OPPORTUNITIES

Accessible Entrance at the Improvements to the Frog Athletic Field Upgrades and
Shaw 54th Memorial Pond and Pavilion Reconfiguration

Charles Street Mid-block VIC Addition Court Expansion

Crossing at Mayor’s Walk and Park-side Plaza

Enclosed Dog Recreation Area

Park Street Station Plaza Improvements to the
PROJECT IDEAS

Parkman Bandstand
Tadpole Playground Expansion
Boylston Street
Station Plaza Improvements to the
Parkman Concessions
Plaza
Beacon and Charles
Street Entrance
Connections with the King
Memorial
Boylston and Charles
Street Entrance
Landmark Loop

Park Perimeter Upgrades

DRAFT 7
 DEPLOY COMMON-WIDE
STRATEGIES

Above: Aerial view courtesy of the Friends of the Public Garden

1 Tree Planting

2 Seating

3 Access and Wayfinding

4 Event Infrastructure

8 DRAFT
An accessible pathway will be added Brewer
next to the Shaw 54th Memorial Plaza

The malls, trees, lawns, and walking paths on the Common have supported a shared
experience for park users for almost four centuries. These elements are foundational to
this historic landscape. Strategies that focus on these different systems and needs across
the park will be important to overall park success and will benefit the more localized
proposals. Strategies on trees, seating, access and wayfinding, and event infrastructure
are meant to formalize and enhance critical systems that already exist but need direct
attention. The advantage of site-wide strategies is that they take an all-encompassing
look at the needs of the park and add a layer of intentionality, setting a precedent for
the future of the park that actively responds to public needs. Upgrades to these broad
systems will benefit the park daily and support the more specific requests and needs put
forth by park users and the city.

View toward Soldiers and Sailors Image courtesy of the Commonwealth

Monument Shakespeare Company
 1 TREE PLANTING
B EACO N STREE T

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CH AR LE S ST RE

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Existing Tree Canopy

BO New Tree Planting

YLS
TO
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N TR
EET
Maintain Continuous
Canopy Along Pathway

Pruning Low Branches

PROJECT GOALS MET:

The Common has seen significant canopy loss in recent years and has been replanted in a piecemeal fashion.
The gaps in tree cover have altered the pedestrian experience along long linear corridors that were once flanked
by tree allées on both sides and affect the overall biodiversity of this area in the city. Under this strategy, new trees
will be planted to enhance and frame views, fill in gaps in the existing tree canopy, and better define pedestrian
malls. Selections for new plantings will align with existing species and the Common’s historic character, provide
shade for new seating, and add environmental capital to downtown Boston for future generations.
10 DRAFT
 2 SEATING
B EACO N STREE T

PA
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CH AR LE S ST RE

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Benches -
BO Both Sides of Path
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TO
N S Benches -
N T RE
ET One Side of Path

Alternative Seating

PROJECT GOALS MET:

An overall seating strategy for the Common will work in tandem with efforts to improve the tree canopy, thereby
bringing cohesion and consistency to the landscape character of the Common. Recommendations include
enhancements to pedestrian malls, more seating capacity installed at regular and predicable intervals, activation
of social nodes and support for active recreation. A new Boston Common standard bench is recommended
for use to improve seating comfort and bring a cohesive style across the park. As with the other park-wide
strategies, this new bench system will be phased in over time.
DRAFT 11
 3 ACCESS AND WAYFINDING
B EACO N STREE T

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CH AR LE S ST RE

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KE Y
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Landmark Loop
TR

Visitor Amenities

Existing ADA Pathways

BO
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TO
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N T RE Signage
ET

MBTA Access

PROJECT GOALS MET:

Today, Boston Common’s linear corridors move people through the park from end to end but don’t effectively
or intuitively connect visitors to key park features and destinations. Accessible routes are often circuitous, and
pedestrians are hindered by bikers moving through at high speeds. The proposed circulation strategy designates
an interior loop that connects amenities, provides more direct ADA routes from park entrances to core park
amenities, reinforces the hierarchy of pathway widths, and adds clear wayfinding / directional signage around
the interior loop, at critical nodes, and park entrances.
12 DRAFT
 4 EVENT INFRASTRUCTURE
B EACO N STREE T

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S1 L4
L1

S7

S5 S6

S4
L3
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S3 Existing Large Events

L2
Existing Small Events
S2 ET
RE

Proposed Large Events

ST
ET

Proposed Small Events

ON
EM

Proposed Stage or
TR

Podium

Existing Amenities

BO New Amenities
YLS
TO
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Hook-Ups

Back of House / Support

Space

PROJECT GOALS MET:

More robust infrastructure will allow for events of varying sizes to be better distributed, activate single-use areas
of the park in different ways, and afford high-use areas to rest more easily. Retooling the Common’s paved
surfaces and reinforcing areas of turf will allow hardscape and lawn areas to support event and programming
needs beyond their daily functions. Additionally, the Common’s existing restrooms and concessions will be
upgraded. More of each will be added to distribute these conveniences across the park and to allow for visitors
to comfortably spend the day at the park.
DRAFT 13
 RESTORE AND CLARIFY
PARK EDGES AND ENTRANCES
Spruce Beacon St Walnut Joy Shaw
Beacon and
Street Mid-block Street Street 54th
Charles
BEACON STREET

PA
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Park Street
Station Plaza
Charles Street
Mid-block
CHARLES ST

Entrance at Cathedral
Parkman Church of St. Paul
Plaza
ET
Entrance
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at Temple
ST
REET

Place
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Boylston and Avery

Charles Street Street
BO
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Boylston Street
Station Plaza
0 350 700
Deer Park
Maintenance Yard

The sense of arrival and entry around the Common varies. At the two MBTA stations, people often dash to
the subway, not considering that the plaza space is actually park land. The mid-block entrance on Charles
Street is often misunderstood as moving between two parts of the same greenspace instead of leaving one
(the Public Garden) and entering another (the Common). While this porosity between park and city speaks
to the Common’s spirit of openness, the ambiguity also weakens the identity of the Common.

A major step in upgrading the Common’s edges is to improve the function of its many entryways. A study
of the entryways as they exist today or how they were organized in the past brought about a family of
architectural forms as the basis of these recommendations. A combination of these forms applied to each
entrance, as appropriate, will result in a more accessible, distinct, and enjoyable park experience. Once
complete, upgraded entrances will celebrate the Common as a special place, reflect its history, and provide
important wayfinding cues.

14 DRAFT
 Above: Architectural elements for entryway consistency;
Below, left to right: Existing view of the Charles Midblock Entrance, Park Street Station
Plaza, and Boylston Street Station Plaza; Opposite: Plan indicating the park’s entrances

DRAFT 15
 CONNECT AND UPGRADE
CORE VISITOR AMENITIES
BEACON STREET

PA
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12

ET
CHARLES ST

17
13
16
REET

14
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0 350 700

12 Improvements to Frog Pond and Pavilion 12A. Improvements to Frog Pond

12B. Frog Pond Pavilion Expansion /
13 Visitor Information Center (VIC) Addition Upgrades
and Park-side Plaza
14A. VIC Interior Upgrades
14 Improvements to Parkman Bandstand and Expansion
14B. New Park-side VIC Plaza
15 Improvements to the Concessions Building
and Plaza 15A. Accessibility at the Bandstand
15B. Special Event Venue Upgrades
16 Connections with the King Memorial

17 Landmark Loop

16 DRAFT
Frog
Pond

Parkman
Bandstand

Today’s park attractions and amenities are a patchwork of incremental improvements

that reflect various needs and objectives over the park’s history. This master planning
effort is an opportunity to bridge the gaps between core recreation, cultural, and social
spaces across the Common in a way that is intentional and intuitive. Not only does this
group of proposed improvements aim to rejuvenate some of Boston Common’s iconic
visitor experiences, like the Frog Pond, but they also add new facilities and infrastructure
that support diverse uses, offer activities and amenities for multiple ages and abilities,
create cohesive visitor information resources, and expand upon the park’s current
restroom capacity to better serve demand. Together, these projects will enhance the
public perception of what the Common has to offer, establishing a new era for the park
as a historic yet contemporary destination in downtown Boston.

Visitor Mayor’s Walk,

Information looking toward the
Center Public Garden
 12 IMPROVEMENTS
AND PAVILION
TO FROG POND

Above: View of proposed splash pad during summer;

Below: Proposed plan
PROJECT GOALS MET:

Iconic in its own right, the Frog Pond should be fully renovated to include a new two-story pavilion, a new splash
pad, and an improved wading pool complete with accessible entries and water features throughout. Newly
planted trees will increase shade opportunities and more diverse seating options will be incorporated. Support
infrastructure such as electrical and sound service, improved Wi-Fi, and pond refrigeration for multi-season
events and flexible programmed use will improve efficiency and functionality.

TERRACE SEATING SEASONAL SEASONAL

ON SLOPE ICE SKATING PERIMETER JETS
SEASONAL RINK CENTRAL WATER
FOUNTAIN ACCESSIBLE
SPLASH PAD
SEATING
NEW TREE OVERLOOK
BRI
PLANTING MM
ER
PA T
H
LANDMARK
LOOP

TADPOLE
PLAYGROUND

ZERO-ENTRY
WADING POND
SOLDIER’S NEW TWO-STORY
AND SAILORS PAVILION WITH
MONUMENT OUTDOOR DINING
AREA AND ACCESSIBLE ENTRY
0 30 60
UPGRADED SUPPORT TO WADING POND
FACILITIES
18 DRAFT
 13 VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER
ADDITION AND PARK-SIDE PLAZA

Above: View of proposed plaza

interfacing Mayor’s Walk and VIC;
Below: Proposed plan
PROJECT GOALS MET:

An expansion of the Visitor Information Center (VIC) building will offer additional, much-needed restrooms in this
area of the Common. The interior space will also offer grab-and-go vending options and act as the nerve center
for Boston Common-focused visitor information. A new outdoor space on the park-side of the VIC will connect to
the Mayor’s Walk, incorporate tree planting, and provide plenty of seating and directional signage, making it the
logical starting point for the Landmark Loop and supporting visitor activity on the Freedom Trail.

NEW TREE PLANTING

NEW PARK-SIDE BUILDING EXPANSION
PLAZA VISITOR INFORMATION
NEW PATHWAY CENTER (VIC)
LANDMARK LOOP PARKMAN PLAZA TO
REMAIN AS IS

‘THE EMBRACE’
AND FREEDOM 0 40 80

RALLY PLAZA FREEDOM

TRAIL

0 40 80

DRAFT 19
 IMPROVEMENTS TO PARKMAN
13 14 BANDSTAND AND THE CONCESSIONS
BUILDING AND PLAZA

Above: Rendered view of the proposed

improved Parkman Bandstand;
PROJECT GOALS MET: Below: Existing conditions plan

Upgrading the Parkman Bandstand will include adding a fully accessible, architecturally appropriate ramp that
allows for universal access to its interior space. In addition to accessibility upgrades, pathway improvements,
perimeter tree planting, and new seating options are recommended. Ultimately, each of these proposed
improvements to the Parkman Bandstand will enhance its existing character while providing new connections
and access.

EXISTING DECIDUOUS
TREE
BRICK PAVING
PARKMAN BANDSTAND

BASEBALL
FIELD

CONCESSION BUILDING
CONCESSIONS PLAZA
TENNIS COURTS

0 40 80

20 DRAFT
 Above: View of the existing Concessions
Pavilion next to walk
PROJECT GOALS MET: Below: Proposed plan of Improvements
to Parkman Bandstand and the
Concessions Plaza

Upgrades to the concession plaza will make it a more functional outdoor eatery and small gathering space.
A reconfigured footprint, more seating, tree plantings and an accessible pathway to the ordering window will
cement the spaces as a hub for daily use in support of Parkman Bandstand and the Common’s active recreation
areas as well as larger scale events.

NEW TREE
PLANTING THE EMBRACE
AND1965
OPEN VIEWSHED FREEDOM RALLY
LANDMARK LOOP
TO THE PLAZA
FLEXIBLE EVENT EMBRACE
SUPPORT SPACE
ALONG MAYOR’S
WALK
IMPROVED
CONCESSION PLAZA
AND ACCESS

BASKETBALL
COURTS (2) NEW ADA RAMP ACCESS
ENCLOSED DOG TO BANDSTAND
RECREATION NEW PERIMETER
AREA BENCHES

0 40 80

DRAFT 21
 16 CONNECTIONS WITH THE
KING MEMORIAL

Top to bottom: View of proposed the King Memorial,

courtesy of Mass Design Group; Proposed plan; Below:
Plan of the proposed Landmark Loop route
PROJECT GOALS MET:

Physical and visual connections to the Embrace from across the Common will both connect this new dedicated
space to its surrounding landscape and celebrate its own uniqueness. As a node on the Landmark Loop, the
memorial will draw visitors to explore and engage with its message.

LANDMARK LOOP
THE EMBRACE

NEW TREE 1965 FREEDOM

PLANTING RALLY MEMORIAL
PLAZA
OPEN VIEWSHED

0 40 80

22 DRAFT
 17 LANDMARK LOOP

BEACON STREET

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CHARLES ST
REET

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0 350 700

PROJECT GOALS MET:

An interior loop will connect major park attractions within the Common’s core. Practically speaking,
the  designated  interior loop will be a subtle installation in the landscape  by way of  signage and  pavement
markings. Signage will be key to the Loop’s success; consistent iconography shall be developed to mark each
stop on the educational walk. On the ground, the loop can be lined with accent banding to differentiate it from
the other park pathways, much like how the Freedom Trail functions today on the Common.

Information and mapping that  articulates  the designated route and its ‘stops’ will also be incorporated into the
Common’s online and printed resources.

DRAFT 23
 ENHANCE AND DIVERSIFY ACTIVE
RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES

BEACON STREET

PA
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21
CHARLES ST
REET

18 RE
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19
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18 Athletic Field Upgrades and Reconfiguration

19A. Tennis Court Relocation
19 Court Expansion
19B. New Basketball Courts
20 Enclosed Dog Recreation Area

21 Tadpole Playground Expansion

24 DRAFT
Athletics area today Dog run
space

This master plan is an opportunity to reassess the types of structured recreational activities
offered at the Common. With an eye toward creating new and better opportunities for
recreation, the Common can widen its ability to serve athletes, dog owners, playground
goers, and general park visitors for years to come. Collectively, these recommendations
will reinforce one another to serve a diversity of users, meet current recreational demands,
and support fresh programming that will add new dimension to the park.

Tadpole Playground Spectator seating

at the ballfield
 18 ATHLETIC FIELD UPGRADES AND
RECONFIGURATION
PROJECT GOALS MET:

Reconfiguring the ballfields will allow for more flexibility in the type of recreational opportunities that the Common
can offer. A re-imagined athletics complex with one ballfield and a multi-use field overlay will support a wider
range of programming and provide an auxiliary space to support large events, which can relieve pressure from
the Parade Ground.

Upgrades will include new and refurbished pathways, renovated fields, fence and backstop replacement, outfield
fence removal, new benches and dugouts, a new scoreboard, terraced spectator seating, a park support facility
with restrooms and equipment storage and rental, and sports lighting.

Below: Birdseye view of the proposed

athletic field configuration;
Opposite: Proposed plan

26 DRAFT
 PATHWAY
CONNECTION TO
MAYOR’S WALK
NEW RESTROOM AND
SUPPORT FACILITY
20’ HT. SPORTS
NETTING
TERRACED
HILLSIDE
SEATING

BACK-OF-HOUSE
EVENT SUPPORT
SPACE

300’ X 150’
MULTIUSE
SOCCER FIELD

PATHWAY
CONNECTION TO
MAYOR’S WALK

POSSIBLE STAGE
LOCATION FOR
EVENT USE
SPECTATOR
SEATING

MULTI-USE
BALLFIELD
NEW TREE
PLANTING
ENCLOSED DOG
RECREATION
AREA WITH PLAY
FEATURES

LARGE EQUIPMENT
STORAGE
TENNIS COURTS
WITH PICKLEBALL
OVERLAY

LL 0 30 60
MA
LR OAD
RAI

DRAFT 27
 19 COURT EXPANSION

Above: View of existing tennis courts;

Below: Proposed plans
PROJECT GOALS MET:

Relocating the tennis courts will provide a more logical and protected spot for tennis on the Common and allow
its current space to be repurposed for new amenities. Two new basketball courts will line Parkman Bandstand
and form a boundary with a new enclosed dog recreation area. With limited fencing needed, these basketball
courts can double as a back-of-house area for periodic larger events at Parkman Bandstand to reduce lawn
impacts.

NEW TREE
PLANTING
NEW PATHWAY MULTI-USE
CONNECTION BASKETBALL
BALLFIELD AND EVENT
BLEACHERS
SUPPORT
SPACE
BASKETBALL
COURTS

ENCLOSED
DOG
RECREATION
AREA
WITH PLAY
TENNIS COURTS FEATURES
WITH PICKLEBALL
OVERLAY 0 60 120

28 DRAFT
 20 ENCLOSED DOG RECREATION AREA

Above: View of the Railroad Mall off-leash panel

Below: Proposed plan
PROJECT GOALS MET:

The recommended court reconfiguration allows DOUBLE GATE

for an appropriately sized enclosed dog recreation ENTRY
area to be accommodated in the underutilized
space between the new courts and the athletic
fields. A dedicated space for dogs will remove this
use from the lawn panels currently designated
for the off-leash program. Many of these lawn
panels are in high demand for use during the warm
season, making it difficult for them to be rested BASKETBALL
and restored after off-leash dog use. COURTS
NEW PATHWAY
CONNECTION
DOG PLAY
FEATURES
PERIMETER
FENCING

BUFFER PLANTING
DOUBLE GATE
ENTRY

0 40 80

DRAFT 29
 21 TADPOLE PLAYGROUND EXPANSION

Above: View of the existing Tadpole Playground

Below: Proposed plan
PROJECT GOALS MET:

An expanded Tadpole Playground will introduce more diverse and accessible play equipment that serves a wider
range of ages and abilities. Upgrades will include a secondary gate at Brimmer Path, accessible connections
from Brimmer Path to the Frog Pond, dedicated stroller parking, improved seating options, and tree protection.
Under these recommendations, the Tadpole Playground’s footprint would increase from roughly 5,500 square
feet to around 15,000 square feet, which will better meet the demands on this important park feature.

LANDMARK LOOP
BRI
MM
PERIMETER ER
PA T
H
NEW HILLSIDE
FENCING PLAYSCAPE
ACCESSIBLE 5-12 ADA ACCESSIBLE
AGE PLAYGROUND ENTRANCE
EQUIPMENT STROLLER PARKING
STROLLER PARKING EXISTING SHADE
AND RELOCATED TREE TO REMAIN
VENDING ACCESSIBLE 2-5
AGE PLAYGROUND
EQUIPMENT
ENLARGED PLAZA
CONNECTION TO OVERLOOK
FROG POND DECK WITH
SEATING
INTEGRATED
ACCESSIBLE ROUTE
STROLLER PARKING

0 30 60

30 DRAFT
Above: Existing views of Tadpole Playground

DRAFT 31
 OPERATIONAL AND
MANAGEMENT UPGRADES

For the Common to better serve recreational, cultural, and civic needs for the city, its level of use must be matched
by an equally high level of care. Carefully calibrating this balance between use and care will be central to any
future development of Boston Common, as the enjoyment of the space is contingent on how well the physical
landscape is managed and maintained. Today, some areas of the park either meet or exceed their carrying
capacity while other areas are underutilized.

A clear park management program will provide a framework for operational and management policies and
practices that can support the complex needs of this intensively used and dynamic park. While it is necessary
to build upon the good work of the 1996 Management Plan (and many items from that plan are relevant today),
it is important to recognize that needs change over time, and management protocols must have the flexibility to
respond to new issues and conditions in the future. Upgraded operations protocols will ensure that the efforts of
all park personnel are working in concert with one another. Thinking about these management recommendations
as interconnected is essential in shaping a maintenance program tailored to the Common that guarantees the
continued use and enjoyment of the park by all its visitors.

Above: Existing view of the Deer Park Maintenance Yard

32 DRAFT
ESTABLISH PARK MANAGEMENT Regional Park Administrator
PROTOCOLS
To sustain a public park as historically Vending Management Upgrades
significant and intensively used as the Boston
Common, effective management protocols
tailored to the park must be set in place. The Vehicular Access and Control
intricacies inherent to the park will be matched
by an equally nuanced management plan - one
that is guided by an overall vision and broad
Visitor Safety and Support
administrative improvements, but also that
tackles specific challenges the Common faces, Services
such as vending, vehicular access, event use,
and visitor safety. Though varied in scope, each
of these recommendations will contribute to a
more enjoyable park experience while remaining
flexible and responsive to a changing future.

IMPROVE SUPPORT FACILITIES Deer Park Maintenance Yard

Expansion and Upgrades
Maintenance operations facilitate activity in the
park at nearly every level, from programming
to athletics to passive enjoyment. To ensure Better Equipment and Storage
that the public face of the Common functions Facilities
seamlessly, these maintenance operations
must be supported. Physical improvements will
aid daily efforts and include the expansion and Expanded Maintenance Capacity
general upgrading of Deer Park Maintenance
Yard, procuring better equipment and storage
areas, and increasing the maintenance team’s
capacity by providing trainings and additional
staff. A park’s physical character and functioning
must be cultivated and continually cared for by
equipping the Common’s maintenance team
with the tools they need to improve the overall
park experience for visitors.

STRENGTHEN DAILY AND SPECIAL Improvements to the Existing

EVENT MANAGEMENT Permiting System

As the heart of downtown Boston, the Common

must support a wide variety of programs Capacity Restrictions
and events. New daily and special event
management strategies will equip the park with
tools to host these events without overburdening Landscape Recovery Methods
the landscape. An improved event management
system, comprehensive permitting application
and event planning process will ensure better Temporary Protections
event execution and post-event recovery.
Capacity restrictions for certain venues,
temporary landscape protections, and mitigation Event Mitigation Fees
strategies will ensure that the park’s long-term
health is sustained. It will establish a process
that better serves the needs of both the people
and the landscape.
Note: For a description of the DRAFT 33
icons, see page 4.
34 DRAFT
DRAFT 35
MANY THANKS TO . . .
every stakeholder, city resident, tourist, and

member of the public who contributed their

time and input to the Boston Common Master

Plan. Your provided feedback will help to shape

the form and function of this beloved park for

decades to come.

36 DRAFT
 JOY
BEACON STREET 5
9

BRIM
MER
PAT

PA
H

RK
12

ST
RE
17

CHARLES S

ET
21

TREET
DRAFT

W
IN
TE
13

R
6 AL K
S W
OR’
M AY
DEPLOY COMMON-WIDE STRATEGIES
1.
1 Tree Planting 16
2.
2 Seating

3.
3 Access and Wayfinding

4
4. Event Infrastructure

W
M A C A RT

ES
RESTORE AND CLARIFY PARK 19
14 AL
L

T
EDGES AND ENTRANCES 15 M

ST
O AD

RE
L R
HUR MAL
5. Accessible Entrance at Shaw 54th Memorial
A I

ET
ET
6. Charles Street Mid-block Crossing at Mayor’s Walk R

RE
7. Park Street Station Plaza

L
ST
8. Boylston Street Station Plaza
19

AL
9. Beacon and Charles Street Entrance

T
M
L

N
10. Boylston and Charles Street Entrance

O
E
TT

EM
11.
11 Park Perimeter Upgrades (all)
20

YE

TR
FA
CONNECT AND UPGRADE

LA
CORE VISITOR AMENITIES 19
12. Frog Pond and Pavilion
13. Visitor Information Center (VIC) Addition and
Park-side Plaza
14. Improvements to Parkman Bandstand
15. Improvements to the Parkman Concessions Plaza
10
16. Connections with the King Memorial
17. Landmark Loop 8

ENHANCE AND DIVERSIFY

RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES BO
YL
18. Athletic Field Upgrades and Reconfiguration ST
ON
19. Court Expansion ST
RE
20. Enclosed Dog Recreation Area ET
0 80 160
21. Tadpole Playground Expansion