Boston's Top Five Parks

A rising trend in some cities is to build pocket parks – compact public green spaces to offer some respite from the urban environment. In Boston, though, parks abound, so the need for these mini parklets is avoided. Based on Yelp reviews, here are the best parks Beantown has to offer.

1. Arnold Arboretum

More than 175 Yelpers have proclaimed their five-star love for the Arnold Arboretum in Boston's Jamaica Plain neighborhood. Some people utilize the park for relaxation while others take a more active approach to its offerings. Still others lean on the park for their health: “Even in the mid-summer slump between spring blooms and autumn foliage, this place is spectacular. I ambled, listened to birdsong, examined flowering trees, smelled the high heat aromas of the conifers, and let nature do its healing.” Dogs, bikes, walkers, joggers, and picnickers all mingle here peacefully amongst the flora and fauna.

2. Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park

Considering that it's Boston, after all, a waterfront park really had to rank high on the best list. And so it is that the Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park in the North End area lands here at number two with 40 Yelp critics solidifying its five-star standing. WiFi and a summer cinema series certainly help to attract visitors. But, in the end, nature really anchors any park's allure. One recent Yelp user noted, “Nice all-season park. In spring, the arbor is covered in wisteria flowers; in the summer, leaves and vines create a nice shady walk; in the fall, the leaves turn, and in the winter it is cover in blue lights. Additionally, there is a small rose garden (the Rose Kennedy Rose Garden), a gated play area (helpful for keeping little ones from running off), grassy areas, and benches including some that are right on the edge by the water where you can watch the gulls and boats.”

3. Cambridge Center Roof Garden

Kendall Square's top offering comes in the way of the Cambridge Center Roof Garden. Though it also boasts a five-star average on Yelp, a mere 35 folks chimed in. Perhaps the lack of vociferous enthusiasts is due to the garden's somewhat secret identity. As one lucky soul exclaimed, “YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!! I FiNALLY FOUND the SECRET ROOF GARDEN!! With the vague clues in the Yelp reviews and purposefully misleading Google map placement, my persistence remained! What a glorious DAY!” According to another reviewer, the garden serves a dual purpose: “It's a lovely place to eat and is also one of the oldest sustainable roofs in Cambridge. The flower patches, shrubs, and fully grown trees help provide the garage below with drainage when it rains!”

4. East Boston Piers Park

With this entry, the name sort of says it all, no? The hidden gem that is East Boston Piers Park offers a sailing center, swings, picnic areas, a skyline view, and more. The people who find it really do love it. More than 20 of them said so on Yelp with five-star ratings. One enthused, “Wow! I can't believe this is East Boston! Beautiful views of the city, well maintained grassy areas, new pavilions and playground/work out equipment, and lots of people buzzing around everywhere. Really cute little picnic benches up and down the pier too so make sure to pack a lunch! Great date spot!”

5. The Esplanade and Post Office Square (tie)

Coming in for a five-star tie for fifth place are the Back Bay's Esplanade and the Financial District's Post Office Square. When a park receives a love letter from a visitor, you know it's a special plot of land: “Oh Esplanade... every summer you never stop amazing me with providing to be my favorite stretch of land to hide from everything or everyone in Boston. You lure me out of bed for runs, you beg for me to visit at night during sunsets, and you never cease to amaze with your views, time and time again. I bring friends, family and out-of-towners here... everyone feels the same way, but what they don't know is I really have you all to myself.”

As for Post Office Square, it's popularity is a more recent invention, at least according to one fan: “Um, nobody told me that Post Office Square was pretty now... Not cool, guys. Not cool.”