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Boston Globe
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
They paved paradise …
Get The Gavel A weekly SCOTUS explainer newsletter by columnist Kimberly Atkins Stohr. Enter Email Sign Up Yes, Copley Square Park was indeed in need of renovation — its brick walkways were cracked and uneven and its fountain dysfunctional. But even with its flaws, it provided a comfortable setting for twice-weekly farmers markets during the growing season, First Night celebrations, occasional political demonstrations, Boston Marathon events, and a gathering spot for warm-weather lunches. Advertisement It also provided a picture-perfect setting, a front lawn for the stunning Trinity Church. The sections still closed off and under renovation — Advertisement When the park partially reopened in time to accommodate some Marathon-related activities last month, Boston Inviting it isn't — certainly not now. There is, of course, the usual tugging and pulling of local forces over the use of public spaces. Meg Mainer-Cohen, president of the Back Bay Association, which represents the business community in the area, Martyn Roetter, chair of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay, said the group had advocated a less costly repair, adding, 'Our impression was that Sasaki (the new park's designer) and the city were pushing to turn Copley Square into a venue like a smaller version of City Hall Plaza.' Well, if that was the aim, mission accomplished. Not that green space is incompatible with hosting public events. The Esplanade, where it's not unknown for a half million people to gather on the Fourth of July, and Boston Common, host to many a rally and protest, are certainly testament to that. In fact, the city did what appears to be a good job of seeking Advertisement The resulting principles governing its design, according to the survey, were to 'comfortably accommodate everyday passive and social visits to the heart of Back Bay' and 'provide a flexible platform for active programming, including a diversity of events, big and small.' They certainly aren't mutually exclusive — but the result thus far leans heavily toward the latter. A barren landscape in the heart of the city, fringed with bits of green at its perimeters, isn't what those surveyed asked for. And it isn't anyone's definition of a park. Editorials represent the views of the Boston Globe Editorial Board. Follow us
Boston Globe
11-05-2025
- General
- Boston Globe
With Copley Square partially reopened, some people are not crazy about the new look
Steven Hubbard, sitting on one of the benches, said he 'hated' the revamped layout. 'It's too much cement, and they took away the greenscape,' Hubbard said, adding that the city needs more shade and trees. 'It's horrible.' But Crystal Rodgers, an archivist at the Boston Public Library, which faces the park, said she was 'mostly happy about it.' Advertisement When she moved to the city in the summer of 2022, the renovated section of the park was an 'unusable patch of grass,' she said. Now, there are more places to sit, Rodgers said, but she wishes there was 'a little more green footprint.' It seems everybody has an opinion on Copley Square's new look. 'Like many Bostonians, I was shocked to see the 'new' Copley Plaza, consisting of mostly barren open space. It is grey, barren and soulless and looks like a skateboard park,' Boston mayoral candidate Josh Kraft said in a statement last month. 'Where are the trees and green space, and more importantly, did the community have input here?' Mayor Michelle Wu 'needs to explain what happened,' Kraft said. On social media, several users slammed the makeover with some saying the park would've been better left untouched. Advertisement WHERE IS THE GRASS!! Why did it take 2 years to just pave everything over 😭 Copley Square Park, as it's officially known, partially Renovations began in July 2023, and the northeast triangle, between Trinity Church and Boylston Street, opened on New Year's Day this year. The fountain, lawn areas, and perimeter sidewalks are slated for In response to criticism of the new design, the city said the parts of the park that have yet to open will be the greenest. 'Copley Square Park's renovation is ongoing and in the final phase of the project, set to be completed by the end of 2025,' a spokesperson for the city said in a statement. The city gathered feedback from more than A lack of green seemed to be the most common complaint from visitors of the recently reopened portions of the square, which was designed by the firm Drafting the redesign began 'The resulting plan by Sasaki prioritizes accessibility, flexibility, and year-round functionality, ensuring that Copley Square remains a welcoming and sustainable public space for generations to come,' the city spokesperson said. Meg Mainer-Cohen, president of the Back Bay Association, attended the project planning meetings. Some of the city's thinking behind the redesign was to make the square more suitable for special events, she said. Advertisement Grass is easy to damage with overuse, she said, and the city wants more gatherings and community events to take place in the The square already is used to host First Night, staging for the Marathon and farmers markets. It is also sometimes is the site of public protests. 'This is such an important location, for the voice and entertainment of the public ... it's where people come to protest and voice concerns about things that are happening on a local, national, and international level,' she said. Mainer-Cohen also said the green space is going to be closer to the church, the area that is still under construction. The city did plant new trees, but they are 'harder to see because they're brand new' and 'acclimating to their new space,' she added. 'This is a space trying to evolve to the underlying needs and uses of the community while simultaneously having expanded trees,' she said. But Martyn Roetter, chair of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay, said he worries the city is too focused on making it an event space. 'Our impression was that Sasaki and the city were pushing to turn Copley Square into a venue, like a smaller version of City Hall Plaza,' he said. The associations had advocated for a less costly repair project estimated at $4 million to $5 million. According to the city's final plan, the new Copley Square design aims to balance large events as well as everyday public use. Advertisement 'I think it's important for us to think about the role that our public spaces can have in creating the community events that strengthen our fabric as Bostonians,' Mainer-Cohen said. Emily Spatz can be reached at
