Christopher Columbus Park, on the Boston harbor, is one of America’s earliest waterfront parks of the modern era. In the 1970s there was interest by both the public and private sectors in restoring the abandoned waterfront and the City committed public funds for a new waterfront park. In 1974, Sasaki Associates was selected to plan and design this new park. With input from the North End/Waterfront community, historians and various City departments, and beingmindful of the historic lines and grades of the 19th century site (the park was sited on filled land that had once been part of the harbor), the new park was designed. Two years later, in July of 1976, thousands watched from the newly dedicated Waterfront Park as the “Tall Ships” paraded into Boston Harbor.
In 1999, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department began working with the North End/Waterfront community on a multimillion- dollar park renovation project that included renewing the fading lawns and made major improvements in several areas of the Park, including expanding the lawn areas, adding a dual-purpose, circular performance area, and enlarging the playground. The renovation project was designed by Halvorsen Design Partnership. In July 2003, Christopher Columbus Park reopened for the continued enjoyment of community residents, visitors, and future generations. Our community has cherished the Park and actively participated in protecting and maintaining these four and a half acres of land on the Boston waterfront.
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