Boston Common

Boston Common is a historic park in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was purchased by the town in 1634 and has remained public open space ever since. Originally, Boston was settled on the Shawmut Peninsula, which was connected to the mainland by a narrow neck of land. The area west of this neck featured mudflats and salt marshes known as the Back Bay.1

The park is located west of the original colonial town center and is situated on Beacon Hill. In the 19th century, as the city expanded, hills were leveled to create new land, and the Back Bay was filled in, transforming the original peninsula into part of the mainland. The Public Garden, adjacent to Boston Common, was created in the 1830s on filled Back Bay flats and features an artificial pond with swan boats. Boston Common and the Public Garden are popular areas for strolling and enjoying the city's architecture.123