The Charlestown Navy Yard Playground and Fountain
The Charlestown Navy Yard Park has a unique, massive, mind-blowing feature. No. Not Old Ironsides. Beyond the cute tot spot and perfectly maintained trees and green lawns is this concrete hole with steps and platforms. It has all the features of a swimming pool, kitchen sink, Egyptian pyramid, Roman fountain and a water treatment plant. I thought I knew a thing or two about Boston parks, so why wasn't this on my radar? Maybe because from the satellite view on Google maps, it looks like a concrete crop circle. Turns out it's a fountain with an identity crisis as it's many things to many people...a wading pool, water park and a skateboarder's paradise. We'll be returning this summer to see what it was intended for and how people are using it.
Apparently, there is a debate about it's use and safety. Hopefully, this fountain can define it's purpose and significance along the HarborWalk and Freedom Trail.
The playground gets it done. It has a nice canopy over the sandbox. There is visitor parking available along the street next to the park. This beautiful and peaceful spot is just a quick walk from Old Ironsides. There are great views of the city just beyond the paved, tree-lined paths.
Another unique feature of this park is the interactive Korean War Memorial. When you approach the Memorial, motion sensors cue up a narrative about the war and the Massachusetts Veterans. The statue is magnificent. On a windy day, the soldier's sweeping jacket brings him to life as he braces against the wind.
Neat idea for a blog! I'm always looking for places to go with my two year old. We stopped by this wading pool today only to find it in disrepair. I came across your blog when looking for information about it. I'd love to use the wading pool. Any updates? Thanks!
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ReplyDeleteA meeting took place this past Thursday to determine it's future. Hopefully they will turn it back on. We'd like to experience too. We'll keep checking. Thanks for you nice comments!
DeleteI grew up in Charlestown. It's not a fountain. This is actually an unusual type of swimming/wading pool. Back in the 80's when they turned it on and the water was running, we used to slide down the smooth areas (where your child is sitting in one of your images). The step area was a waterfall, water used to poor out of the big black pipes really hard, but we woiuld stand under them and get pummeled by the rushing water. The area under the "bridge" walkway used to be the "Deep end" of the pool and filled with water to our chests. We routinely cut our feet, scratched our bums (sliding down the granite) and skinned our knees, but we loved every minute of it. We went back every day and our parents let us! Ahh...the freedom that 1980's parenting allowed us.
ReplyDeleteSorry just caught my typos..pour not poor and would, not woiuld. Gosh, I've got to proofread my posts!
DeleteSorry just caught my typos..pour not poor and would, not woiuld. Gosh, I've got to proofread my posts!
DeleteI grew up in Charlestown. It's not a fountain. This is actually an unusual type of swimming/wading pool. Back in the 80's when they turned it on and the water was running, we used to slide down the smooth areas (where your child is sitting in one of your images). The step area was a waterfall, water used to poor out of the big black pipes really hard, but we woiuld stand under them and get pummeled by the rushing water. The area under the "bridge" walkway used to be the "Deep end" of the pool and filled with water to our chests. We routinely cut our feet, scratched our bums (sliding down the granite) and skinned our knees, but we loved every minute of it. We went back every day and our parents let us! Ahh...the freedom that 1980's parenting allowed us.
ReplyDelete