I Love That Dirty Water
When the sun is shining in Boston, I try not to stay indoors. We’re only allotted so many ‘outdoor’ days in the fall and winter months in New England (unless you’re brave and like the c-c-c-cold). The sun was out this weekend and so was I. Each time I’m given the opportunity to explore my state’s capital, I’m pleasantly surprised with the discoveries I make. I recently traveled the short distance from my small rural town into Boston Common & Public Gardens, a hub rich with culture and history. Tip to those who wish to visit with a vehicle: the Boston Common Garage is available on weekends for a discounted rate of $11.00. The garage spans the entire underground of the Commons, so it’s able to accommodate many visitors. Remember which elevator house you use! Losing your car in a Rubik’s Cube of garage levels is extremely frustrating and time consuming (please trust me on this if you’ve never experienced this sensation). The beautiful Common is the starting point of the Freedom Trail and is the oldest park in the country. It controls 50 acres of space! Today, Boston Common is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace, a system of connected parks that winds through many of Boston’s neighborhoods. It offers people-watching, long Sunday afternoon walks, a history lesson of the best kind, and a breath of nature in the midst of a densely populated city. Surrounding the Common is a plethora of cafes and lunch nooks to refuel and shop. On the weekends, the Boston Public Garden is a busy place and if you like to people-gander (as I do), it’s a perfect spot for such activity. There were plenty of folks strolling about, but absent were the throngs of tourists and their children (circa any summer ever). If you prefer quiet and serene, your best bet is to visit during the week. Both park spaces were the first of their kind in this country and have been centers of public life and civic virtue since their inception. Full of activity, the Public Garden is famous for its swan boats and has inviting walks and lovely bridge views. While the Common and the Gardens are adjacent (bisected by Charles Street) and serve a unified purpose, the two parks spaces have vastly different characters. The larger, more pastoral Common supports recreational activities and flexible uses, while the Public Garden is devoted to ornamental design. The Garden has a variety of flora and a centrally featured Swan Pond. If you live in or around Boston and have not had a chance to see the city’s fall display, make some excuse for an errand, hop on the T and head to the Boston Common & Public Garden. Come visit! The admission is free and the destination is well worth the time spent traveling. The Standells have it right: “I love that dirty water! Oh, oh Boston you’re my home!”
