Boston Harbor Islands Pavilion Opens On Kennedy Greenway
BOSTON (CBS) - Boston got its newest major harbor tourist attraction Thursday right in the middle of the Rose Kennedy Greenway.
It was the grand opening of the Boston Harbor Islands Pavilion located halfway between Faneuil Hall Marketplace and the waterfront.
A number of people spoke to a group of 200 supporters as the new tourism center opened. It will be staffed by the National Park Service that also maintains the 34 islands in the harbor.
Douglas McGarrah, Chairman of the Boston Harbor Alliance Board, acted as the event's emcee. Boston Mayor Tom Menino and the late Senator Edward Kennedy's widow, Victoria, also praised the new site on the Greenway, which will offer visitors much needed visibility and visitor information.
It is located less than a five minute walk from the Aquarium and the MBTA Blue Line station.
Mrs. Kennedy talked about how pleased and proud her husband was of both the Greenway and the Boston Harbor sites in the last few years.
Quoting the former Senator, Mrs. Kennedy said: "Every child has the right to enjoy the outdoors. How proud he was when the people of Boston wanted to name the Greenway after his mother."
"No other city has islands like ours," said Mayor Menino. "I want kids from every neighborhood to experience the islands. It will open up a whole new world for them."
The Harbor Islands Pavilion will feature interactive exhibits, distribute literature and sell souvenirs.
"It really links the Greenway with the water and provides a visual symbol of the islands on the Greenway," said Vivian Li who has just been named President of The Boston Harbor Association.
Another new attraction starting next month is being presented by the Freedom Trail.
Named "Pirates and Patriots," it will trace the history of Boston Harbor from Faneuil Hall to the waterfront.
Bob Weiss and "All Things Travel" can be heard weekends on WBZ NewsRadio 1030.
