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Parks and Recreation

We create and maintain clean, green, safe, and accessible open space in more than 2,300 acres of park land throughout Boston.

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The Parks and Recreation Department owns 288 properties containing nearly 2,200 acres of permanently protected open space including the Boston Common, the Public Garden, and the Olmsted-designed Emerald Necklace park system. The City’s parks contain walking trails, playgrounds, recreational courts, natural areas, historic burying grounds, and much more. We also maintain 29 urban wilds, four high school athletic fields, and operate two public golf courses. In addition to the trees within our parks, we care for more than 40,000 public street trees.

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Parks Permitting
Playgrounds And Parks In Boston
Planning, Design, And Construction
Work With Us
Park Sports and Activities
Programs, Activities, And Events
Dogs And Boston Parks
Parks And Recreation Commission

Spotlight

ABC Forever Young

Stay active this spring with the ABC Forever Young Program for older adults

Mayor's Cup Street Hockey Tournament

Join us for an action-packed day of fun, skill, and friendly competition during April vacation.

All Girls Sports And Wellness Festival

Register now for this free April School Vacation Week event!

Mayor's Coffee Hours

Join Mayor Michelle Wu and City Staff in the parks for coffee and conversation!

Summer Fitness

Join us for our series of free fitness classes in the parks!

The 28th Annual Rose Garden Party 2025

A fundraising event supporting free family programming in public parks throughout Boston.

Upcoming events

Events
Dog Licensing And Low-cost Rabies Clinic - Jamaica Plain
On May 3

May 3
Parks Fitness: Virtual HIIT class with Jacqui
On May 4

May 4
Parks Fitness: Strength and Balance class with Jacqui
On May 5

May 5
Parks Fitness: Kick It by Eliza Class with Caroline
On May 5

May 5
Parks Fitness: Virtual Zumba Class with Lena
On May 5

May 5
Parks Fitness: Dance HIIT Class with Carmen
On May 5

May 5
More City events

Places to visit

Places to visit
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Emerald Necklace

The 1,100-acre chain of nine parks is linked by parkways and waterways.

Visit the Emerald Necklace
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Cemeteries / Historic Burying Grounds

We manage three active cemeteries and 16 burying grounds in Boston.

Learn more about cemeteries
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Urban Wilds

The Urban Wilds form an essential part of the City's open space system.

Learn about Urban Wilds

BOS:311 service requests

Service requests
Cemetery maintenance Damaged fountain Damaged play equipment Park maintenance Report a lighting issue Request a new tree Tree maintenance

Latest news

News

Stay Active This Spring with the ABC Forever Young Program for Older Adults

Parks and Recreation, Boston Centers for Youth and Families

Applications Now Open for Youth Summer Jobs with Parks and Recreation

Parks and Recreation

All girls sports and wellness festival pull ups

Three-Day All Girls Sports And Wellness Festival Returns in April

Parks and Recreation

First Annual Duck Boat Pull to Benefit Youth Sports Programming

Parks and Recreation
More Parks news

Trees in the City

Trees in the City
Caring for Boston's urban forest

The urban forest is an important part of the City’s landscape.
How to get a tree planted on City land

You can have a street tree planted on the sidewalk in front of your home or business.
How to request a tree removal

If you want to remove a healthy tree, we need to hold a public hearing.

Leadership

Leadership

About Our Work

Find resources and learn more about our work at Parks and Recreation.

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