Boston Common, which opened in 1634, is the oldest city park in the United States. It is 50 acres,…read moreand is bounded by Beacon Street, Park Street, Tremont Street, Boylston Street, and Charles Street. The nearest subway stations are Park Street Station and Boylston Station. To the west is Boston Public Garden, and to the North, on Beacon Street, is the Massachusetts State House and the start of the Freedom Trail. We walked through Boston Common a couple of times on our trip and saw The Embrace sculpture; Central Burying Ground; Parkman Plaza with the three bronze statues representing Learning, Industry, and Religion; and many, many grey squirrels. Boston Common is one of the top tourist attractions in Boston, and it's clear why! [Yelp collections: Boston, MA 2025; Parks and Gardens]

I love well planned green spaces in the central areas of big cities, some of the most famous of…read morewhich are Central Park in NYC and of course, Boston Commons. Tonight after our dinner we enjoyed walking through here and Boston Public Gardens for a good 1.5 hrs catching up with our daughter. There was a growing crowd of happy people (families and children too) cheering the Iraq World Cup team who will play their first match tomorrow against Norway here in Boston. About a dozen Boston police were watching from the sidelines on their motorbikes and I prayed all would stay peaceful. Meanwhile, pedestrians, dog walkers, families were enjoying the fresh cool evening amidst the grandiose trees, lawns, ducks, fountains, and historic statues. If you're in the area, definitely stop by, and also check out the Boston Public Gardens, which are even more landscaped and welcoming!

I've been walking this path for as long as I can remember. It's amazing. I'm talking stunning views…read moreof Boston, and the same path goes from Newton/Brighton to the Museum of Science. I love roller skating, walking, biking, or running this path. It's super scenic and there's a couple of pop-up breweries that started to show up in the summer months. One of my top 5 favorite places to walk in Boston for sure.

Took a run here yesterday. Terrain is comprised of 3.06 miles of wooden boardwalk and dirt path…read moreprotected by tree cover, so on days that top 80 degrees, you can easily pretend you live in a jungle and not an urban playground. Ground is low-lying next to the river, where you will see banks framed beautifully with root-exposed trees; the scene reads something out of Mark Twain's southern bayous. What I liked most about this place was the frequent sitting areas. Balconies and built-in benches overlook the river, where you could stop at any time to admire the water or search out wildlife. I watched what I initially thought was a hawk ascend from the water; I turned to my companion and admitted that I didn't know the right word to use for seagull. I tried pointing again to the sky, yelling albatross; it was embarrassing. Out of respect for bicyclists, there was some thoughtful maneuvering through narrow sections of ground. Ran single file through crowds, and I concluded the capacity to move two abreast is a luxury afforded less busy areas. It would be nice though if there were government subsidized plans to widen stretches of the walk.

Tucked behind the Nashua Street Jail and the Spaulding rehabilitation hospital is this gem of…read morewaterfront park. Paths meander through grassy patches, perfect for getting away from the urban environment to plant your self down on for a picnic. Six foot misting sculpture, fiber optic lighting, and a little pathway directly down to the water for you to dip your feet in as you watch water traffic roll by or view the Zakim bridge. Also a nice place for a leisurely skate, or to get your skateboard practice on. So if you happen to be visiting your lover, be it in the prison or the hospital, make sure to take the time to recharge and refresh here along the historically rich esplanade.

This is a fantastic urban park by the Lechmere end of the Green line. It borders directly onto the…read moreCharles River and offers a great view of the river, the Garden and the Zakim Bridge. It's frequented by skaters and picnicers in the good weather and offers several places to sit down and grab your lunch or take in the view and is located just a few minutes walk from the Museum of Science and just a few minutes more walk from the Garden and North Station. It's one of the nicer places in the city to get away from the urban crowding and sprawl.

I sat here at Dewey Square for ninety minutes in the sun, Memorial Day Weekend. I love public…read morespace. We should celebrate these venues. People of all ethnicities and faiths can and do gather as equals. I had taken the train in from New York City, where I live, the early morning run that is priced so temptingly that I select it even though I regret that when I must arise at 3:30am to make my way in the dark to catch it. Others like the option as well. Every seat was taken. That also meant, however, arriving far too early to check into the hotel. My wife and her college roommate were coming in from Cape Cod. Their ETA was after lunch. I was wondering what I would do on my own. It was a mile hike to where we were staying. This place is very close to South Station. They had all these Adirondack chairs. Only a few people were out. The weather was perfect: not cold, but not yet hot. You could sit out in the sun comfortably. That is a limited season, meant to be savored while it lasts. So I sat down to write and "people watch." A group of German tourists showed up. I should say German speaking; they could have been Austrian or from elsewhere. One of them, a woman, was coughing so much, it was one of those she's losing a lung sounds. I considered alighting from my perch. I figured we were outdoors and she was facing in the other direction. As of 24 hours late, I have not come down with anything. So that risk turns out to have been worth taking, though it is an indication of my laziness (it also would have seemed rude, since I would have settled down a greater distance away, and it would be apparent why I had departed, and people interpret these gestures differently, which is to say many are quick to take offense). Others were hanging out, reading, one sketching.

The tail end of the Greenway, Dewey Square Park is a small piece of green right under the start of…read morethe tunnel in front of South Station and the iconic Federal Reserve building. More than just grass, the Park is a little bit of rolling hill and grassy treed areas that isn't flat like the rest of the Greenway. Almost a proper forest, if you can turn out the sirens, honking horns and skyscrapers. It's a little bit of nature in the middle of a very big city.

Nestled through Everett, Malden, Revere, Saugus, and Lynn, the Northern Strand Community Trail is…read moretruly deserving of five stars. A Scenic, Well-Laid Path. Great for Biking, Walking, Skating. We've primarily been using this trail for bike riding. The mostly flat terrain and accessible design make it suitable for families, commuters, and casual fitness buffs. Heading north, the path opens up to breathtaking Rumney and Pines River Marshes, serene Saugus River crossings, and marshside vistas. Heading south you end at Encore Casino. From metropolitan environments to peaceful wetlands, with plentiful amenities, thoughtful design, and community charm, this trail offers a refreshing escape from the city's bustle. Whether you're jogging, rollerblading, cycling, or just enjoying nature, you'll fall in love with the Northern Strand's inviting atmosphere and varied landscapes.

Nice to have some green space around the city. This very long green area is great to walk and see…read moreall the flowers . They have different festivals at different locations as well. Great place to have your breakfast or lunch from one of the many food venders in the areas.

A great public greenway space in the City partly due to the 'Big-Dig'. It is a rather long area…read moregiving the city folks room to explore get away from the city without actually leaving the city. And it gives the tourists a way to escape the madness of the city, while still experiencing the city. All and all its one of those simple things that has something for everyone.

This little park is definitely a delight to have in an urban area. Situated in Roxbury this park…read moreis a great place to relax on a bench with a good book. Nearby are apartments and a residential garden.

The John Harvard Mall is nestled in the heart of historic Charlestown. It's not a mall in the…read morecommercial sense, but as a public promenade. It was built by Harvard University in 1940 and given to the city. In 2004 it was restored by the University to make the area more welcoming to families. Though considerably dwarfed by it's more popular cousin, the Commonwealth Mall, it is still a lovely place to pass through on one's way to Main Street, the Navy Yard, or Bunker Hill. Walled and entirely paved in red brick (some of the bricks have been dislodged, so take caution), it is perhaps not be the most ideal place for a picnic (I would head over to nearby City Square for that). Still I find it to be a very peaceful spot. There are several benches for sitting and there are also some lovely trees which provide ample shade in the summer months. In the evening the area is enchantingly lit by Charlestown's ubiquitous gas lamps. On the top level of the mall there is a playground complete with a swing-set and drinking fountain which appears to be a lot less hectic than the one located on Union and Rutherford, though not quite as well equipped. It's a beautiful place during any season and it has a certain draw to it. I often find myself going a little out of my way to pass through it while running errands. If you're in the area you may feel compelled to do the same.

We were pleasantly surprised to stroll through this Mall and realize the history. My ancestor…read moreThomas Lynde shared this land with John Harvard and other prominent Americans. I am Canadian, but have traced my genealogy back to the Massacheusetts Bay Colony and the Yankee beginnings of the U.S.a. What these early pioneers accomplished is amazing. Thanks to Charlestown for a wonderful historic tribute. I hope to return. Marilyn Lynds Catania