A very popular spot in Boston is the Boston Common and Public Garden, seventy-two acres of open space in the middle of the city. Boston Common was established in 1634 and served as a pasture, military encampment, and execution site. The British Army camped on the Common while they occupied Boston from 1775-1776. In the 1800s, the area was used for open-air civic gatherings and is still used that way today. The Public Garden is more of a formal garden for strolling and appreciating nature.
We started our visit in the southwest corner, entering the Public Garden near the statue of Reverend William Ellery Channing, an early Unitarian preacher and theologian. A random stranger was kind enough to take a picture of us with our camera (it would be awkward if she used hers!).
The garden was delightfully shady on a warm summer's day. We took many opportunities to rest and enjoy nature around us.
A "lagoon" was added in 1861 and provides a fun spot to watch water fowl.
Further north in the garden is a statue of George Washington. The bronze statue was cast by Thomas Ball and dedicated in 1869.
Exotic plants and flowers abound around Washington.
We crossed the lagoon bridge and went for a ride on the famous Swan Boats. They were inspired by Wagner's opera Lohengrin and have a long history in the garden.
The boats are powered by young people who have the sort of leg energy and stamina to get the boat around its ten to fifteen minute tour of the lagoon.
The lagoon also has a small island where the water fowl like to hide. It's the subject of the children's classic Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, about a family of ducks who live in Boston.
I liked the way the red and white building is nestled in among the trees in the next photo!
We continued to explore, discovering an odd-looking fountain of children playing together. The kids thought it was funny. I moved us along as quickly as I could.
Further up we found the sculptures the memorialize Make Way for Ducklings.
More of our visit in the next post!
We started our visit in the southwest corner, entering the Public Garden near the statue of Reverend William Ellery Channing, an early Unitarian preacher and theologian. A random stranger was kind enough to take a picture of us with our camera (it would be awkward if she used hers!).
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| Rev. Channing and us |
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| A close up of us |
The garden was delightfully shady on a warm summer's day. We took many opportunities to rest and enjoy nature around us.
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| Brothers relaxing together |
A "lagoon" was added in 1861 and provides a fun spot to watch water fowl.
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| Lagoon with buildings in the distance |
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| A shady duck |
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| View of the lagoon bridge |
Further north in the garden is a statue of George Washington. The bronze statue was cast by Thomas Ball and dedicated in 1869.
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| Only the sun outshines George Washington |
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| More visible back view |
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| The sun now doing its proper job |
Exotic plants and flowers abound around Washington.
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| Purple balls? |
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| A nice hedge of flowers |
We crossed the lagoon bridge and went for a ride on the famous Swan Boats. They were inspired by Wagner's opera Lohengrin and have a long history in the garden.
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| Looking at the Swan Boats |
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| Three levels of enjoyment on the Swan Boat |
The boats are powered by young people who have the sort of leg energy and stamina to get the boat around its ten to fifteen minute tour of the lagoon.
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| Another boat! |
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| The bridge from the water |
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| Under the bridge |
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| Our swan and paddler |
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| An odd lamp on the shore |
The lagoon also has a small island where the water fowl like to hide. It's the subject of the children's classic Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, about a family of ducks who live in Boston.
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| Lagoon island |
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| Ducks and swans mixing?!? |
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| Closer to the island |
I liked the way the red and white building is nestled in among the trees in the next photo!
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| More from the water |
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| Back under the bridge |
We continued to explore, discovering an odd-looking fountain of children playing together. The kids thought it was funny. I moved us along as quickly as I could.
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| Uhm, yeah...not sure who thought this was a good idea |
Further up we found the sculptures the memorialize Make Way for Ducklings.
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| Patting the ducklings |
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| Mama duck in the lead |
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| Ganging up on a little guy |
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| Too cute |
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| Ganging up on the big duck |
More of our visit in the next post!
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