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Parks and Recreation

We create and maintain clean, green, safe, and accessible open space in more than 2,300 acres of park land throughout Boston.

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Our department is responsible for 217 City parks, playgrounds and athletic fields, two golf courses, 65 squares, 17 fountains, 75 game courts, 16 historic and three active cemeteries, urban wilds, four High School Athletic Fields, and approximately 125,000 trees, all covering 2,346 acres, 1,000 of which comprise the historic Emerald Necklace. We are also responsible for more than 35,000 street trees.

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Parks Permitting
Playgrounds And Parks In Boston
Planning, Design, And Construction
Work With Us
Park Sports and Activities
Programs, Activities, And Events
Dogs And Boston Parks
Parks And Recreation Commission

Spotlight

Boston Common Tree Lighting

Join us for the 83rd Annual Tree Lighting on the Boston Common!

Boston Common Tree Arrival

Welcome the 2024 Tree From Boston, a 45-foot-tall white spruce gifted by the province of Nova Scotia.

Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park

Join us on Boston's historic waterfront as we light the trellis with 50,000 blue lights.

Martin's Park Ship Lighting

Join us for Boston's newest holiday tradition!

Commonwealth Avenue Mall Holiday Lighting

Please join us as we hit the switch and celebrate the lighting of trees up and down Commonwealth Avenue.

Programs with the Boston Park Rangers

Meet the Boston Park Rangers and learn more about the history and wildlife of our parks!

Upcoming events

Events
Boston Parks And Recreation Commission Public Hearing
On Nov 18

Nov 18
Horse-Of-Course Program
On Nov 18

Nov 18
Lawson Park Community Meeting # 1
On Nov 19

Nov 19
Walking Tour of Jamaica Pond
On Nov 22

Nov 22
Franklin Park Overlook Community Meeting # 1
On Nov 23

Nov 23
2024 Trellis Lighting at Christopher Columbus Park
On Nov 25

Nov 25
More City events

Places to visit

Places to visit
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Emerald Necklace

The 1,100-acre chain of nine parks is linked by parkways and waterways.

Visit the Emerald Necklace
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Cemeteries / Historic Burying Grounds

We manage three active cemeteries and 16 burying grounds in Boston.

Learn more about cemeteries
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Urban Wilds

The Urban Wilds form an essential part of the City's open space system.

Learn about Urban Wilds

BOS:311 service requests

Service requests
Cemetery maintenance Damaged fountain Damaged play equipment Park maintenance Report a lighting issue Request a new tree Tree maintenance

Latest news

News

Students play at Chittick Schoolyard

Improvements to Chittick Schoolyard Celebrated

Parks and Recreation

Mayor Michelle Wu announced that care and custody of the Franklin Park Bear Dens will return to the Boston Parks Department after years of management by Zoo New England.

Mayor Michelle Wu Announces Transfer of Care and Custody of Franklin Park Bear Dens to Boston Parks Department

Mayor's Office

Boston Common Concession Pavillion

Boston Parks Department Announces Request for Proposals for the Boston Common Concession Pavilion

Parks and Recreation

BEFORE: The paint has worn off the fence post and primer is visible. AFTER: The fence post has been repainted.

Restoration Complete at King's Chapel Burying Ground

Parks and Recreation
More Parks news

Trees in the City

Trees in the City
Caring for Boston's urban forest

The urban forest is an important part of the City’s landscape.
How to get a tree planted on City land

You can have a street tree planted on the sidewalk in front of your home or business.
How to request a tree removal

If you want to remove a healthy tree, we need to hold a public hearing.

About Our Work

Find resources and learn more about our work at Parks and Recreation.

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