Boston Common to get major upgrades, including new public restrooms
By WBZ-TV's Courtney Cole
BOSTON - Boston Common, an important part of the city's fabric and a beloved destination among visitors and residents alike, could be in store for a "facelift."
On Wednesday, Friends of the Public Garden, a non-profit that works to renew, care and advocate for Boston Common, the Public Garden and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, released their 362-paged plan to improve the historic park, over a span of ten years.
From a utilitarian landscape...
"Where people brought their cows," Rev. Mariama White-Hammond, the Chief of Environment, Energy and Open Space explained.
To a space that supports civic activities and social movements...
"This land serves so many purposes, supports us in so many ways and is held high in the esteem and hearts of Bostonians," Chief White-Hammond continued.
Boston Common has quite literally withstood the test of time.
But Friends of the Public Garden and The City of Boston don't necessarily want it to look that way.
"Well, we don't want to hear in the future--what we do hear sometimes today-- is that 'The Public Garden is so beautiful. When you go across Charles Street, I don't know about The Common.' That needs to change. It's going to change today," said Liz Vizza, President of Friends of the Public Garden.
Vizza said seven-million people visit the park every year. As a result, the infrastructure is worn down.
The 362-paged plan presented Wednesday laid out plans to revamp it over a 10-year period.
The plans include an expanded visitor's center with public restrooms, renovations to the Frog Pond splash pad, more seating, an added tree canopy and improved infrastructure for events and performances.
It is not yet clear how much the project would cost, but it could reach upwards of $100 million. City officials said they already have around $20 million from the sale of a garage.
The upgrades have been in the works since 2019, but were delayed by the COVID pandemic.
Parks and Recreation commissioner Ryan Woods said the public made it clear they are interested in having bathrooms in the area.
"We're looking at them in several places in the common, not just one. We know it's an amenity people need," Woods said.
Under the proposal, tennis courts would be relocated and basketball courts would be installed.
There will be a 45-day public comment period where the city is asking people to share what projects should be a priority for the park.
"Through these recommendations outlined in this plan, the park's natural, historic, cultural and visual character will be strengthened and preserved for both today's users and future generations," Woods said.
Eber "Lisbon" Delgado, a local tour guide, tells WBZ he loves The Common just the way it is. But he would also like to see other parts of town receive the same type of investment and attention.
"Blue Hill Avenue definitely needs attention. I'm not old enough to know that, but I've met many people from Boston and the feedback that I get is that it was a beautiful avenue, it was used to film movies. Nowadays, they wouldn't," said Delgado.
Luke McCann and his dog Birdie - who walk The Common every day, believe any type of investment should be equitable.
"While I think it's nice to focus on a heavily utilized park, I think it should be spread throughout the various parks," McCann told WBZ.
"Our organization believes that we need to lift up all of the voices and all of the votes, so that we fight every year for the City's Parks Department budget. Because it is really important that we don't divide and conquer, that we don't say our neighborhood is more important than your neighborhood," said Liz Vizza.
