Back Bay Fens

If you’re in Boston’s Back Bay area and are looking for a place for a leisurely walk or to sit on a park bench and drink your coffee, I recommend a visit to the Back Bay Fens.

Earlier this spring, I had a chance to spend a little time walking in the Back Bay Fens, also known as the Fens. It was a warm day and the park was filled with signs of spring. Robins were looking for worms, daffodils opened their petals to the sun and the trees were covered with buds. I only walked part of the Fens, but I will be returning to explore more of this beautiful park..

The Back Bay Fens is part of Boston’s Emerald Necklace park system, designed by landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted. The Emerald Necklace is a swath of green, consisting of over 1,000 acres of parks and waterways, running through the Boston area. The park system offers places to escape from the concrete and traffic of city life.

The Fens offers something for everyone. It has community gardens for locals to grow their own vegetables and flowers. There are also formal gardens. There are recreational areas, including ball fields and basketball courts.

I love the many pedestrian bridges that cross the Muddy River, providing access to walking trails on each side of the river.

Some bridges allow vehicles to cross.

While in the Fens, you’re aware of the city, as subway cars pass under bridges next to the park and buildings rise around the park’s perimeter.

Yet, there are places to sit and enjoy the birds, the sun and the relaxing pace of the park.

I am looking forward to exploring more sections of the Fens and I hope that you’re able to visit it soon.

You can find more information about visiting the Back Bay Fens, including a map, here.

Related Posts

Here are some other travel posts that you might enjoy.

• Coastal Day Trips from Boston
• Visiting Chappaquiddick, Martha’s Vineyard
• Lighthouses of Martha’s Vineyard