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Boston Common, Boston

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Boston Common, Boston
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Boston Common: Boston Common
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  • The Common is a good place to go and relax. There is almost always something going on-even in the dead of winter when the frog pond becomes an ice skating rink. Originally set aside as a common area where people could put their animals out to pasture; now it has become a common area where people put themselves out to pasture. There is a playground for the kids, mounted policemen, food vendors, occasional concerts, artists, and lots of people that just set around on the ground and benches and watch the day go by. That’s what I do when I’m there anyway. It’s a good relaxing spot to get away from the city for awhile, which is odd considering it’s right in the middle of the city. With Beacon Hill to one side, the Public Garden to another, and Chinatown and Government Crossing close by, it is as central as it could possibly be.

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  • Directions: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.
  • Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom

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    Boston Common: Boston Common
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  • The Boston Common is the oldest public park in the United States and undoubtedly the largest and most famous of the town commons around which New England settlements were traditionally arranged. It started originally in 1634 as a 50 acre training ground for militia and where the freemen of Boston could graze their cattle. It also housed the gallows, stocks, jail and poorhouse of the city. The British evacuated after the Revolution and the cows were kicked out in 1830. Among the more notable events on the Common was a speech by Martin Luther King Jr. and a Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul II. In the winter you can ice skate on the Frog Pond., in spring and summer you can enjoy the flowers in the public garden, The Common is an oasis for people in the city to relax, picnic and put the rush out of mind for a bit. The swan boat tours are a lot of fun, especially for the little ones, it follows a circular route that takes about 20 minutes to complete. Take a look at some of the trees and you will find Latin names affixed to many of them. Boston schoolchildren were once taken around the park and expected to translate the signs. My one year of Latin didn’t help me much. Check out the Tremont Street side for the visitors’ center. There you can find information, maps and tours. The Freedom Trail starts in its southeast corner and winds its way through the downtown and market districts.

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  • Directions: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.
  • Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom

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    Boston Common: THEY ONCE HUNG PEOPLE HERE
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  • If there was ever an area in Boston with a long and varied history, it would have to be the Boston Common. The Common was established in 1634 to be used as a public green. Each household was charged 6 scillings to purchase the land. The area was used for grazing, offical functions including hanging, parades and drills. British troops even camped there. Check out the website for some interesting facts regarding the Common. The Common is enclosed by 5 streets, Tremont, Park, Beacon, Charles, and Boylston. The Common hosts a wide variety of functions including concerts, games, speeches and protests. Some famous people to appear here include Martin Luther King Jr., Pope John Paul II and Judy Garland (her largest concert ever was her in 1967). During the winter months, the frog pond is used as an ice skating rink.

  • Address: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Str
  • Directions: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.
  • Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom
  • Other Contact: http://www.pps.org/great_public_

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    Boston Common: Ice Skating at the Boston Commons
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  • It's a scene right out of a story book. A pool that in the summer cooled thousands of hot Boston children transforms into a skating pond. Go skating at night when the snow falls. Dress in your warmest clothing, dont forget a fluffy scarf. Everyone wears them in Boston. (even indoors) - and skate around the pond, holding hands with your favorite person! It's truly magical! If you dont own skates you can rent them there. And there is a burger stand where you can get something to eat and a drink to warm up.

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  • Address: Boston Common
  • Directions: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.
  • Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom

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    Boston Common: Wildlife watching
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  • In Boston Common, you'll certainly find the usual suspects in regards to city animal life. These pigeons were wishing they were migratory birds about this time, however. They were stationary and puffed out, attempting to keep warm air between their skin and feathers.

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  • Directions: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.
  • Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom

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    Boston Common: Image is everything
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  • So most people are horrified by rats. Especially wild rats. Right? But what's a squirrel but a rat with a fuzzy tail? Yet people like squirrels. I, on the other hand, don't have a problem with rats. Squirrels, I find adorable. This little guy was taking a wee on the tree when I snapped his photo. He stopped, but he may have been frozen to the tree by the time my shutter closed.

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  • Directions: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.
  • Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom

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    Boston Common: Visiting Boston Common
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  • So for our VT meeting on Jan. 11, 2003, we thought it would be fun to meet at Boston Commons and walk along the Freedom Trail. We were INSANE. It was very, very cold out. But we did meet at Boston Common, and we did walk a bit of the trail. In between hot liquids.

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  • Directions: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.
  • Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom

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    Boston Common: Boston Common
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  • This is the place where Bostonians hang out when the weather is nice. Situated across the street from the State House directly adjacent to the southern boundary of Beacon Hill, this large open park area is great to lay out a blanket and have a picnic, throw a frisbee, or discuss the politics of the day. It is the oldest public park in the U.S., having been established in 1634. There are also several monuments dotting the park including the Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument and the Boston Massacre Monument. The Central Burying Ground, a 17th-18th century graveyard is located on the southeast corner of the Commond near Tremont and Bolyston Streets and includes portrait artist Gilbert Stuart among its residents. There is a visitor's center on the Tremont Street side near West Street where you can get more information (of course) and inquire about free tours offered by the Boston Park Rangers.

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  • Phone: 617.635.7383
  • Directions: Bounded by Tremont, Beacon, Charles, and Boylston Streets.
  • Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom

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    Boston Common: Ice skating in Boston Common
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  • Being from California, it's a rare sight for me to see folks ice skating on ponds. Except for in romantic movies. Yet here we were, walking across Boston Common, to Rowan's car, and I saw folks skating along on a pond. I wish we'd had more time, and I'd had skates!

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    Boston Common: Boston Common
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  • Parking in downtown Boston is actually bearable if you park in the underground parking garage under the Boston Common. Enter into the garage off of Tremont Street, and for about $14 US, you can park for about 6 hours. Trust me, this is a bargain here. Plus, you're right at Boston Common when you come up from your vehicle, and in the bustling hub and heart of beautiful, historic Boston. The Boston Common is known to be one of the oldest public parks in the country. The park is almost 50 acres in size. Today, Boston Common is the anchor for the Emerald Necklace, a system of connected parks that winds through many of Boston's neighborhoods. The "Common" has been used for many different purposes throughout its long history. Until 1830, cattle grazed the Common, and until 1817, public hangings took place here. British troops camped on Boston Common prior to the Revolution and left from here to face colonial resistance at Lexington and Concord in April, 1775. Today, the Common features well-maintained greenery and flower beds and historic statues. You'll find cyclers, joggers, business people on cell phones, everyone from all walks of life. The police patrol on horses and you'll probably see them there. I took this beautiful pic of the Boston State House from standing on Boston Common. Keep in mind that you might also run into some... interesting people shall we say, we encountered a man in a Cat in the Hat Uniform talking crazily and shouting about the weather. Just keep your eyes open and watch for stray frisbees, balls, and shady characters. Be sure to remember where you parked and where you emerged from coming up on the Common - very easy to get disorientated as all the exits look the same! A great way to start the Freedom Trail, have a picnic or just sit back and people watch. Best of all, its free.

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  • Directions: Bound by Tremont, Beacon, Charles and Boylston Streets.
  • Website: http://www.cityofboston.gov/freedomtrail/bostoncom

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