A Beautiful and Dearly Missed Park

In 1898, the Wood Island Park in East Boston opened. Designed by the famous landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmsted, the park included ball fields, tennis courts, a gymnasium, bathhouses, picnicking areas and lots of green space. On hot days, people entered the park in search of cool sea breezes beneath the huge 200 year old elms, maples and oak trees. Children enjoyed rolling down the hills, and swimming in the beaches. And on the weekends, families came to the park first thing in the morning; securing a spot to spend the day. In the late 60s, the park was razed to make room for airport expansion.