Open Space

 

The development vision created for the Ledge Site by MHNHS’s community planning process included two significant public spaces - a pedestrian plaza and a passive park.

NEIGHBORHOOD CENTER -- ONE BRIGHAM CIRCLE PLAZA

At the heart of the One Brigham Circle development is a 10,000 sf pedestrian plaza adjacent to Brigham Circle. This is Mission Hill’s neighborhood center - a place for neighbors to meet, gather, and socialize.  The plaza is One Brigham Circle's entrance and is ringed by retail stores with outdoor eating areas, pushcart vendors, decorative paving patterns, seating, and landscaping.  The plaza is also used for special community sponsored events, celebrations, and gatherings.

PASSIVE PARK -- KEVIN W. FITZGERALD PARK

The upper portion of the Ledge Site has been transformed into a new 5.5 acre passive park, originally named Puddingstone Park after the stone quarried from the site.  On November 18, 2006 family, friends and colleagues joined together to name Puddingstone Park the Kevin W. Fitzgerald Park.  The Park is dedicated to Kevin’s passionate leadership as Mission Hill’s State Representative from 1974 to 2002 and to honor his unwavering commitment to the residents and community of Mission Hill.

A Park Master Plan has been created to help guide future improvements. Contributions are welcome from institutions, corporations and individuals. Items available include memorial bricks at the St. Alphonsus entranceway, park benches along a path, trees, and puddingstone rock gardens with shrubs, grasses and flowers. All donations are acknowledged with a plaque on the individual item or on the Donor’s Plaque placed in the Park.

Funds raised from the Annual Mission Hill 5K Road Race, held on the third Saturday in September, are also used to support improvements in the Park along with annual maintenance expenses. See Road Race photos album.

To become a part of this unique Park and to discuss making a contribution please call Mission Hill Neighborhood Housing Services at 617-566-6565

 

The Kevin W. Fitzgerald Park, envisioned by the residents of Mission Hill, offers an unique experience. As you approach the Park from St.Alphonsus Street you’re greeted with a landscaped lawn area that includes a bed of annuals, rhododendron, and Spring flowering white fringe trees. You enter the Park under a grand steel archway supported by puddingstone piers constructed from stone from this site. Walking the paths you see boulders of puddingstone surrounded by wild flowers. A gentle path takes you to the top of the park with a lawn area and benches offering you the opportunity to enjoy the dramatic views of Boston’s skyline. Continuing your walk down a winding path you experience the stone walls of the original 1843 stone quarry with fields of poppies on sloping meadows. Your final destination is the retail shops at One Brigham Circle and the grand stair down to Mission Hill’s new neighborhood center connecting you to Brigham Circle and the City of Boston.


The Kevin W. Fitzgerald Park was constructed by the One Brigham Circle commercial development project.  Funding for the Park was provided by the Edward Ingersoll Browne Trust and One Brigham Cirlce LLC. The Park is owned by Friends of Puddingstone Park, Inc., a nonprofit corporation.

 

KEVIN W. FITZGERLAD PARK HOURS, RULES, AND REGULATIONS     

       PARK HOURS

       Summer Hours
            Memorial Day Weekend to September 30th
            6:00 AM to 9:00 PM

        All Other Times
            6:00 AM to Dusk

        PARK RULES AND REGULATIONS:

  •   The Park will be closed whenever ice or snow is present

  •   No Admittance when Park is closed
  •   All Dogs must be leashed – please use Puddingstone      
                  Dog Park for off leash dog walking
  •   Please clean up after your dog
  •   Please use the trash receptacles
  •   Please walk your bicycle in the Park
  •   The following are not permitted in the Park:
                  Alcohol, open fires or barbeques
                  Skate boarding, roller blades and ball playing
                  Motorized vehicles or scooters
                  Vendors

  •   Please call 911 for emergency service

  •   Take responsibility for your safety and belongings
  •   Use of Park is at your own risk

    Thank you for your cooperation Friends of Puddingstone Park, Inc.