Take A Walk

             
        
         Last week the City of Boston and The Boston Harbor Association unveiled its web site for the HarborWalk. More than 31 miles of Harborwalk have been completed or are under construction. When completed, Harborwalk will stretch over 47 miles linking Dorchester to East Boston. (See accompanying story.)
         All of the land along the harbor is accessible to the public by virtue of state law. As developers build out their project, they will have to include construction of harborwalk walkways on their properties. That means that the Harborwalk will soon be one continuous uninterrupted waterfront path around the entire harbor, connecting various public spaces and parks around the harbor. But you don’t need to wait until then to see what it will be like. The following is an example of a way to explore the harborwalk and some of the parks that are already open.
         Start by biking down Northern Ave to the newly opened South Boston Maritime Park, on Northern Avenue at D Street across from Fish Pier. This 1.3 acre wedge-shaped park, built by the Massachusetts Port Authority at a cost of $6.7 million, is part of what Massport is giving to the community in exchange for the valuable development taking place in the area on its land according to James P. Doolin, Massport's deputy director for planning and urban design.
         The new park, designed by the Halvorson Design Partnership Inc. and Machado and Silvetti Associates Inc., has granite steps and walkways, a large lawn along Northern Avenue bordered by trees; a central area shaded by pergolas; a gathering area with 20 teakwood benches on a stone-dust surface; and, a small garden. Raised three feet from sea level so visitors can have better views of Boston Harbor this a pleasant inviting open public space. A copper-roofed, outdoor cafe offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
         Next ride your bike over to the John Joseph Moakely United States Courthouse and explore the well tended gardens in the back and the walkway along the harbor. Until Fan Pier is built out the walkway ends and begins at the courthouse and until Russia Wharf is redeveloped Congress Street is the connection to downtown
         Ride past Russia Wharf on Atlantic Avenue go to the Aquarium at Long wharf and take the ferry to Logan. At Logan ride down the well designed spacious harborwalk behind the long low Massport building starting at the Logan Ferry Terminal itself. This portion of the harborwalk is rarely used and has scenic views of Boston and the skyline from across the harbor. Follow it north all the way around the inner East Boston harbor and then to Jefferies Point and then to Marginal Street. Go through the tall black wrought iron gates into Piers Park. There is a rotunda with stone carvings. (Web site) and impressive views of Boston and South Boston. There is also a small marina with sailboats available to the public .that are even more rarely used than the park itself, benches with protective overhangs, sparkling new public restrooms cleaned regularly by the city, a fitness area, a children’s playground, bike racks, walkways for walking and jogging and flowers and a fountain. It is an oasis of pleasure and serenity removed from the city, but only minutes away from the City. If you don’t have time to ride a bike then take the Blue Line to Maverick Square, and turn left on Summer Street, walk to Orleans Street, turn right, then turn left on Marginal Street and there is the park. (Or just simply walk out of Maverick Station look for the Boston skyline and go towards it to the left. You will then run into the park.)

                                                                                                            The Boston Harbor Journal