Boston Parks and Recreation Department

Call Directions Website

Boston Parks and Recreation Department Official page of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.
(1)

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department provides residents and visitors with clean, green, safe, and accessible open space in more than 2,200 acres of park land throughout the city including parks, playgrounds, athletic facilities, city squares, urban wilds, street trees, three active cemeteries, 16 historic burying grounds, and two golf courses. In addition to maintaining the historic integrity of such famous landmarks as Boston Common, the Public Garden, and the other parks comprising Frederick Law Olmsted's Emerald Necklace, the Department services and upgrades facilities ranging from tot lots to the 527-acre Franklin Park. The Department also programs a wide range of community events and live entertainment in the parks under its jurisdiction. The Boston Park Rangers act as the Department's eyes and ears while enhancing public safety. Appointed by the Mayor, the Boston Parks and Recreation Commission serves as the policy-making citizen body that over\sees the operation of the Department and considers matters of public concern.

Looking for something spooky this fall season? The Boston Park Rangers are giving tours on a series of historic burying ...
10/22/2026

Looking for something spooky this fall season? The Boston Park Rangers are giving tours on a series of historic burying grounds in the city. Learn about some of Boston's finest in the days of yore. ☠️🪦⚰️

Today’s the day! Join us on the Boston Common Parade Ground for the annual Fall-O-Ween Festival! 🎃Thursday, October 22 🌙...
10/22/2026

Today’s the day! Join us on the Boston Common Parade Ground for the annual Fall-O-Ween Festival!

🎃Thursday, October 22 🌙 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Boston Common Parade Ground, Beacon and Charles Street

Put on your costumes and bring the whole family to the Boston Common to celebrate the season and and enjoy live music, games, inflatables, and free giveaways.

👻Visit boston.gov/falloween or the link in our bio to learn more!

10/21/2026

What’s the big deal with invasive species? 🌿👀

Meet Shan and Paul from our Urban Wilds crew to take on one of their biggest nemeses: Japanese knotweed!

Introduced to the U.S. as an ornamental plant, knotweed can spread through soil and construction materials, growing up to 6 feet tall and crowding out other plants by blocking sunlight. Once it takes hold, it spreads quickly and can be difficult to manage.

The Urban Wilds crew teams up with PowerCorps Boston to tackle knotweed in Franklin Park’s natural areas by cutting it back in the summer and applying targeted herbicide in September. It can take up to two years of treatment to fully remove it.

But what happens when the knotweed is gone? 🌱 In our next video, learn how the crew restores these disturbed areas and helps native plants thrive.

Learn more about Boston’s Urban Wilds at boston.gov/urban-wilds.

Don’t miss Fall-O-Ween this Thursday, October 22 🍬🧛🎃Thursday, October 22 (NEW DATE!)🌙 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Boston Comm...
10/20/2026

Don’t miss Fall-O-Ween this Thursday, October 22 🍬🧛

🎃Thursday, October 22 (NEW DATE!)
🌙 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Boston Common Parade Ground, Beacon and Charles Street

Put on your costumes and bring the whole family to the Boston Common to celebrate the season and and enjoy live music, games, inflatables, and free giveaways.

👻Visit boston.gov/falloween or the link in our bio to learn more!

Want to learn about creatures that bump in the night? The Boston Park Rangers will be having an open house at their Natu...
10/16/2026

Want to learn about creatures that bump in the night? The Boston Park Rangers will be having an open house at their Nature Center at Jamaica Pond; find out about owls, bats, and other nighttime critters you might find in Boston's Parks!🦉🦇🏞️

10/16/2026

How do we care for Ross Playground? ⚾🛝🍂🌳

In part two of our Parks Care Series, Commissioner Diana Fernandez Bibeau catches up with Kevin, a member of our parks maintenance team, to go behind the scenes and show what it takes to keep our parks in tip-top shape.

From the people who love our parks to the crews who care for them, it takes all of us to keep these spaces thriving.

See something in need of attention at your local park? Report it through 311!

Ever wonder what lurks in Mattahunt Woods? 👻🍂Come discover it with us this weekend. 📅 October 17, 2026 @ 10:00 a.m. 🍂Ma...
10/15/2026

Ever wonder what lurks in Mattahunt Woods? 👻🍂Come discover it with us this weekend.

📅 October 17, 2026 @ 10:00 a.m.
🍂Mattahunt Woods Urban Wilds, 206 Colorado Street

Join us with the Friends of Mattahunt Woods and Trustees Boston for a free discovery event. We'll use the iNaturalist app to uncover what lies hidden here: the birds, plants, and fungi that keep these woods thriving. 🍄🪲

This event is FREE. There will also be prizes and activities for kids, free snacks and refreshments, and Halloween fun! Costumes are encouraged.

Learn more at boston.gov/calendar/mattahaunt-woods-discovery-day

Join us this weekend for a Pollinator Planting at Moakley Park 🐝🌱📅 October 17, 2026 @ 9:30 a.m. We’ll join our partners ...
10/15/2026

Join us this weekend for a Pollinator Planting at Moakley Park 🐝🌱

📅 October 17, 2026 @ 9:30 a.m.

We’ll join our partners from Boston Harbor Now South Boston en Accion, Inc. and Boston Cares to clean up the park and plant new native plants throughout the park. Tools and refreshments will be provided.

Learn more at moakleypark.org/calendar

10/14/2026

🚲 Thank you to everyone who joined us for Ride & Chill at Franklin Park!

We closed Circuit Drive to cars and explored some of Franklin Park’s iconic spots, from Scarboro Pond to the American Legion picnic area and William J. Devine Golf Course.

With family-friendly activities, group bike rides, music, food, and more, it was a great day to experience Boston’s largest park on two wheels! 💚

A special thank you to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Wayfair, and all of our partners for helping make this event possible.

Until next time, Boston! 👋boston.gov/ride-and-chill

🚨Due to forecasted rain, we’re rescheduling our Fall-O-Ween Festival to Thursday, October 22 on the Boston Common!Wear y...
10/14/2026

🚨Due to forecasted rain, we’re rescheduling our Fall-O-Ween Festival to Thursday, October 22 on the Boston Common!

Wear your costume and enjoy live music, games, attractions, tricks, and treats.

🎃Thursday, October 22 (NEW DATE!)
🌙 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Boston Common Parade Ground, Beacon and Charles Street

🪦 Visit boston.gov/falloween or the link in our bio to learn more!

Address

1010 Massachusetts Avenue
Boston, MA
02118

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+16176354505

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Boston Parks and Recreation Department posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category