The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway is a linear park in downtown Boston, created from the demolition of the John F. Fitzgerald Expressway as part of the Big Dig project. It is named for the matriarch of the Kennedy family, who was born in the nearby North End. Officially opened in October 2008, the 17-acre Greenway stretches over one mile through several neighborhoods, including Chinatown, the Financial District, the Waterfront, and the North End.
The Greenway’s design and planning were guided by the Boston 2000 Plan, which allocated 75% of the land to open space and public facilities. The park features landscaped gardens, promenades, plazas, fountains, and specialty lighting systems. Notable design contributions include Chinatown Park by Carol R. Johnson Associates and Chinese landscape architect Yu Kongjian, Dewey Square by Machado and Silvetti Associates and Utile, Inc., and the Wharf District Parks by AECOM and Copley Wolff Design Group.
The Greenway is maintained by the non-profit Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy, which oversees its operations, events, and programs. The park serves as a vibrant urban space, connecting various parts of the city and providing a green oasis in the heart of Boston.
