Martin's Park - Boston, MA - Municipal Parks and Plazas on Waymarking.com

Martin's Park, which opened in 2019, is located in the Seaport District adjacent to the Boston Children's Museum. Construction began in June 2017, following a $13 million investment from the Martin Richard Foundation. The park overlooks Fort Point Channel and features a children's playground, a performance space, and an upgraded Harborwalk, as well as a garden and water park.

Martin' Park gardens are made up of regional plantings that include close to 350 trees, 700 shrubs, 9,400 ground cover plantings and 4,400 white daffodils.

Natural wooden benches, carved from recovered trees on Martha’s Vineyard, are situated on a figure eight path that winds through the grounds and across a pedestrian bridge perfect for views of the Fort Point Channel and the Boston skyline. Timbers salvaged from Boston Harbor, granite extracted from a New Hampshire quarry, and exterior stone left over from the Boston Public Library’s Johnson Building renovation give the paths and steps greater connection to the natural environments of the city and region.

Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates, the park includes plants, stone and wood to connect children to nature and invite curiosity and exploration.

Each structure included was evaluated on the standard five dimensions of inclusion to ensure children of limited physical, social/emotional, sensory, cognitive and communication abilities would be able to enjoy the Park.

The shaded grotto features a mist spray and sits below the replica of a ship which is accessible by climbing a play foam slope, walking the gangway, or meandering on the hard packed pathway to the starboard side. Once on the ship, kids can raise and lower the Martin’s Park flag and let imaginative play take over.

The playscape includes a timber maze that contributes to the maritime theme of the playground. The logs are reminiscent of pier posts commonly found along the waterfront that have been washed ashore by the ocean waves. A low climbing net is an accessible hang out spot and a V-shaped opening allows a wheelchair to pass through and under the structure. As a result, children of all abilities are able to interact with the play structure.

Kids can play alone or all together on a large basket swing, then tumble down two tunnel slides, where overhead sails provide shade, landing in a mini amphitheater where a climbing sphere awaits the more adventurous. Interactive musical and sensory pieces dot the walkways and offer a more relaxed stimulation.

Hours: From dawn to dusk

Sources: (visit link) and (visit link)

See our 10 photos

Name: Martin's Park Street Location: 64 Sleeper St, Local Municipality: Boston State/Province, etc.: MA Country: USA Web Site: [Web Link] Memorial/Commemoration: The park has been dedicated to Martin W. Richard, the youngest victim of the Boston Marathon Bombings Date Established: 2019 Picnic Facilities: Benches Recreational Facilities: Children's Playground, performance space, water park Monuments/Statues: No Art (murals/sculpture, etc.): No Fountains: No Ponds/Lakes/Streams/Rivers/Beach: The park is located along Fort Point Channel Special Events: Free concerts, Welcome Santa arriving by boat Traditional Geocaches: No

Visit Instructions:
One photo of the park that is a different view from the one on the page, and give the date and description your visit.

Add any additional information that you may have about this park. A GPSr photo is NOT required.

Recent Visits/Logs:

There are no logs for this waymark yet.