Boston Common is the oldest public park in United
States history and is the beginning of the Freedom
Trail. The history of Boston Common dates back to
1634 which is when the area was assigned as a public patch
of land. Boston Common park is almost 50 acres in size
and is currently used by locals and visitors as a green
space in the city to relax in, catch a local concert,
gather with friends or throw around on a warm afternoon.
Bordered by downtown, Beacon Hill and the Public Garden,
Boston Common has an informal layout and very open design.
Today Boston Commons is the foothold for the Emerald
Necklace, a 1,000 acre system of intertwined parks that
wind through many beautiful Boston
neighborhoods. Stretching from Boston Commons downtown
to Franklin Park and the Arnold Arboretum, the Emerald
Necklace is one of the oldest public park systems in the
country. This chain of natural settings and waterways
brings a calming respite from the city’s hectic
pace. Boston Commons remains one of the most visited areas
of the Emerald Necklace and acts as a sanctuary for overworked
office folks loosening their ties at lunch break. Dining
can be found scattered around Boston Commons and the area
is a nice place to relax and take in the city after
a great meal.
Boston Common history is a varied and interesting one. At one time it was owned by William Blackstone and was used for public hangings and other military use. Removed in 1817 the gallows were the point at which law-breakers were hung for their crimes. In Boston Common history cattle could be found grazing in the area but from 1830 and they were forbidden in the park. Boston Common history states that British soldiers used to stay and camp in the area during the Revolutionary War. Many monuments pay tribute to Boston Common history such as the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial, Brewer Fountain, Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the Parkmen Bandstand. Central Burying Grounds, one of Boston’s oldest graveyards occupied by British and American soldiers from the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775 can also be found in Boston Common.
In the cold, winter months people search out activities
to keep their blood flowing and Boston Common ice skating
is a popular choice for just that. The Frog Pond is where
Boston Common ice skating happens every year from November
until about mid-March. The Frog Pond was launched back
in 1997 and today it remains a well visited ice skating
rink flagged by great dining and shopping
along Charles Street and located near Faneuil
Marketplace and Back Bay’s Newbury Street where
boredom stays at bay.
Boston Common ice skating at Frog Pond is open Mondays
10am to 5pm, Tuesday to Thursday and also Sunday from
10am to 9pm and Friday and Saturday from 10am to 10pm.
Admission is $4 per person and children under 13 skate
free. Skate rentals are $8 for adults and $5 for under
13 years of age with lockers at $1. Seasons passes and
lunch passes are also available for families as well as
individuals Check rates before visiting. When at Boston
Common ice skating there s a snack bar on sight with an
ample menu of hot and cold treats to keep everyone happy.
