Visit
WAYS TO DISCOVER AND LEARN
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OUR GARDEN
Connect with nature and learn about the plants, stone and wood used throughout Martin’s Park.
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OUR PLAY SPACE
Explore our inventive play structures that invite children of all abilities.
Long distance verbal communication encourages teamwork, storytelling and dramatic play.
A swing offering flexibility for group or individual play, accessible loading, and a comfortable nested feeling.
With 3 accessible levels, the log climber offers a physically challenging environment with varying levels of difficulty, including areas of respite. Natural materials play into the explorative play of Martin's Park.
Rolling hills in the play surface act as transitions between various accessible play elements, and provide challenging terrain for running and climbing.
A climbing structure with 3 accessible levels. Interactive puzzles encourage teamwork and communication. Upper levels provide distant views over Fort Point Channel, encouraging site-based dramatic and imaginative play. 2 accessible slides from different heights provide varying levels of challenge for different ages and levels of comfort.
Long distance verbal communication encourages teamwork, storytelling and dramatic play.
One of the fundamentals of a playground, this accessible slide is appropriately scaled for smaller children and encourages communication between top and bottom.
A huddled shady place for respite and socialization. The playful shape encourages balancing games for children of all ages.
Climbing in a three-dimensional net stimulates problem solving skills and awareness of one's surroundings. When occupied by multiple children, communication plays a critical role in planning a route up, down, or through the rope climber.
A place for children and caregivers to take a break while watching others in the tower or looking out over Fort Point Channel.
A fallen tree provides a continuous playground experience, while maintaining public access to and from the Fort Point Harborwalk. The larger-than-life log encourages imaginative play and storytelling and encourages exploration of natural materials throughout Martin's Park.
Boston Harborwalk is a public walkway that follows the edge of piers, wharves, beaches, and shoreline around Boston Harbor.
A short cut up and down the embankment slide slope grounded in the natural materials of the park encourages exploration and dramatic play.
A landmark element of Martin's Park with 2 accessible levels. Thematically tied to the park's marine context, the boat provides an interactive stage for dramatic and imaginative play and discovery.
Natural logs at varying heights and shapes offer accessible places of both respite and creative play, embedded in the nature of Martin's Park.
Rolling hills in the play surface act as transitions between various accessible play elements, and provide challenging terrain for running and climbing.
An interactive landscape with cooling mists for warm months. Controlled by accessible buttons, the ability to control the sequencing of the fountains allows children to manipulate their surroundings. In cooler months, the field of boulders offer opportunities for creative play and games of chase in a robustly natural environment.
Natural logs at varying heights and shapes offer accessible places of both respite and creative play, embedded in the nature of Martin's Park.
A place of respite from the high-energy landscape of play. With a field of stone seats for caregivers and friends, the deck doubles as a stage for imaginative play, performances, and small gatherings.
Long distance verbal communication encourages teamwork, storytelling and dramatic play.
A swing offering flexibility for group or individual play, accessible loading, and a comfortable nested feeling.
With 3 accessible levels, the log climber offers a physically challenging environment with varying levels of difficulty, including areas of respite. Natural materials play into the explorative play of Martin's Park.
Rolling hills in the play surface act as transitions between various accessible play elements, and provide challenging terrain for running and climbing.
Sourced from exterior stone recovered from the Boston Public Library’s Johnson Building renovation in 2016.
One of the fundamentals of a playground, this accessible slide is appropriately scaled for children of all ages and encourages communication between top and bottom through this echoing slide.
One of the fundamentals of a playground, this accessible slide is appropriately scaled for smaller children and encourages communication between top and bottom.
A huddled shady place for respite and socialization. The playful shape encourages balancing games for children of all ages.
Climbing in a three-dimensional net stimulates problem solving skills and awareness of one's surroundings. When occupied by multiple children, communication plays a critical role in planning a route up, down, or through the rope climber.
A place for children and caregivers to take a break while watching others in the tower or looking out over Fort Point Channel.
A fallen tree provides a continuous playground experience, while maintaining public access to and from the Fort Point Harborwalk. The larger-than-life log encourages imaginative play and storytelling and encourages exploration of natural materials throughout Martin's Park.
Boston Harborwalk is a public walkway that follows the edge of piers, wharves, beaches, and shoreline around Boston Harbor.
A short cut up and down the embankment slide slope grounded in the natural materials of the park encourages exploration and dramatic play.
A landmark element of Martin's Park with 2 accessible levels. Thematically tied to the park's marine context, the boat provides an interactive stage for dramatic and imaginative play and discovery.
Sourced from fallen old-growth trees on Martha’s Vineyard, these logs were shipped over by Ferry and transported to Boston especially for Martin’s Park.
Rolling hills in the play surface act as transitions between various accessible play elements, and provide challenging terrain for running and climbing.
An interactive landscape with cooling mists for warm months. Controlled by accessible buttons, the ability to control the sequencing of the fountains allows children to manipulate their surroundings. In cooler months, the field of boulders offer opportunities for creative play and games of chase in a robustly natural environment.
Natural logs at varying heights and shapes offer accessible places of both respite and creative play, embedded in the nature of Martin's Park.
A place of respite from the high-energy landscape of play. With a field of stone seats for caregivers and friends, the deck doubles as a stage for imaginative play, performances, and small gatherings.
Please close the gate behind you, for everyone’s safety.
Please close the gate behind you, for everyone’s safety.
Wind chimes inside the Park bring a sense of peace amid the hustle and bustle of the Seaport Neighborhood.
A softly-bubbling boulder, next to a carved tree stump seat, offers contemplative and impressive views of the Park. Spring/Summer/Fall
This interactive garden invites visitors to see, touch and taste many varieties of herbs planted throughout the space. Spring/Summer/Fall
Explore sound and music with this accessible metal tree. The green metal ‘leaves’ are designed to make music by banging various surfaces with its attached rubber mallets.
This summer explosion of multiple varieties of sunflowers greets visitors to this sunny upper part of the Park. An annual festival celebrates these pollinator favorites! Spring/Summer/Fall
This summer explosion of multiple varieties of sunflowers greets visitors to this sunny upper part of the Park. An annual festival celebrates these pollinator favorites! Spring/Summer/Fall
This summer explosion of multiple varieties of sunflowers greets visitors to this sunny upper part of the Park. An annual festival celebrates these pollinator favorites! Spring/Summer/Fall
Flat planks of timbers, salvaged from Boston Harbor, create a pathway from the Water Garden to the main walkway.
8 graduated stainless-steel bells ‘sing’ when struck with the attached pair of rubber mallets. Each bell emits its own sound, from the gentle tones at the top, to the deep ‘gong’ like sounds at the bottom.
This summer explosion of multiple varieties of sunflowers greets visitors to this sunny upper part of the Park. An annual festival celebrates these pollinator favorites! Spring/Summer/Fall
Our Garden
Lush and inviting, our gardens are made up of regional plantings that include close to 350 trees, 700 shrubs, 9,400 ground cover plantings and 4,400 white daffodils.
Natural wooden benches, carved from recovered trees on Martha’s Vineyard, are situated on a figure eight path that winds through the grounds and across a pedestrian bridge perfect for views of the Fort Point Channel and the Boston skyline. Timbers salvaged from Boston Harbor, granite extracted from a New Hampshire quarry, and exterior stone left over from the Boston Public Library’s Johnson Building renovation give the paths and steps greater connection to the natural environments of the city and region.
Our Play Space
Designed by Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates, the park includes plants, stone and wood to connect children to nature and invite curiosity and exploration.
Each structure included was evaluated on the standard five dimensions of inclusion to ensure children of limited physical, social/emotional, sensory, cognitive and communication abilities would be able to enjoy the Park.
Our shaded grotto features a mist spray and sits below the replica of a ship which is accessible by climbing a play foam slope, walking the gangway, or meandering on the hard packed pathway to the starboard side. Once on the ship, kids can raise and lower the Martin’s Park flag and let imaginative play take over.
The playscape includes a timber maze that contributes to the maritime theme of the playground. The logs are reminiscent of pier posts commonly found along the waterfront that have been washed ashore by the ocean waves. A low climbing net is an accessible hang out spot and a V-shaped opening allows a wheelchair to pass through and under the structure. As a result, children of all abilities are able to interact with the play structure.
Kids can play alone or all together on a large basket swing, then tumble down two tunnel slides, where overhead sails provide shade, landing in a mini amphitheater where a climbing sphere awaits the more adventurous. Interactive musical and sensory pieces dot the walkways and offer a more relaxed stimulation.
Construction Time-lapse Video
Watch Martin’s Park go from a dream to reality in under three minutes!
Park Information
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Adjacent to the Boston Children’s Museum on the Smith Family Waterfront at Fort Point Channel, Martin’s Park is accessible by public transportation, bicycle and automobile.
By Public Transportation
Martin’s Park is accessible by both South Station (MBTA Commuter Rail, Red Line, Amtrak and Private Bus Carriers) and Courthouse Station (Silver Line Waterfront).
From South Station (MBTA Red Line, Commuter Rail, MBTA #7 Bus)
Exit South Station to the right of the Amtrak Sales window, to the left of the Commuter Rail platforms onto Summer Street Take a right onto Summer Street and walk one block towards the water Take the first left on Dorchester Avenue (the Federal Reserve Building will be on your left) Follow Dorchester Avenue one block and turn right over the Congress Street Bridge. At the stoplight, turn right onto Congress Street and proceed across the bridge. Take a left onto the Boston HarborWalk along the Fort Point Channel, and follow it to the park entrance.From Courthouse Station (Silver Line Waterfront)
Once you have come up from the Silver Line platform, head left to exit Courthouse Station. Upon exiting Courthouse Station, turn left (toward the City of Boston skyline). Walk straight down Seaport Boulevard. Take a left onto Sleeper Street and follow it to the park entrance.From Downtown Crossing
The MBTA #7 bus stops in the Downtown Crossing area at Summer and Otis Streets and at South Station The bus will indicate that the destination is City Point.From the North Shore
MBTA Express Bus #448/449 travels from Marblehead, and #459 travels from Salem. Both stop at the corner of Congress Street and A Street. The park is a short distance down Congress.By Car
From the North
Take I-93 South to the "Purchase Street" exit #23. Take a left at the first set of lights onto Seaport Blvd/Evelyn Moakley Bridge. At the second set of lights take a right onto Sleeper Street. The park is on the left.For parking, at the end of Sleeper Street take a left onto Congress Street. Take the 1st left for the Farnsworth Street Parking Garage or the 3rd left for the Stillings Street Parking Garage. To go to the park, go back to Congress Street, turn right, and go towards the bridge.
From the South
From I-93 North, take the South Station/ I-90 exit #20. Follow signs towards I-90 East, and once in the tunnel take the first exit to "South Boston". At end of ramp, go straight onto East Service Road. At the next intersection take a left onto Seaport Boulevard. At the second set of lights take a left onto Sleeper Street. The park is on the left.For parking, at the end of Sleeper Street take a left onto Congress Street. Take the 1st left for the Farnsworth Street Parking Garage or the 3rd left for the Stillings Street Parking Garage. To go to the park, go back to Congress Street, turn right, and go towards the bridge.
From the East (Logan Airport and Route 1A)
Take I-90 West Exit #25, "South Boston". At end of ramp proceed straight onto B Street. At the next set of lights take a left onto Seaport Boulevard. At the third set of lights take a left onto Sleeper Street.The park is on the left.For parking, at the end of Sleeper Street take a left onto Congress Street. Take the 1st left for the Farnsworth Street Parking Garage or the 3rd left for the Stillings Street Parking Garage. To go to the park, go back to Congress Street, turn right, and go towards the bridge.
From the West
Take I-90 East towards Logan Airport. Once in the I-90 tunnel, take Exit 25, "South Boston". At the top of the ramp bear left towards "Seaport Blvd" At the first lights, proceed straight onto East Service Road and follow to the end. At the next set of lights, turn left onto Seaport Blvd. At the second set of lights, take a left onto Sleeper Street The park is on the left.For parking, at the end of Sleeper Street take a left onto Congress Street. Take the 1st left for the Farnsworth Street Parking Garage or the 3rd left for the Stillings Street Parking Garage. To go to the park, go back to Congress Street, turn right, and go towards the bridge.
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Metered parking is available along Seaport Boulevard and its surrounding streets. Private garage options are also available.
Stillings Street Garage
11 Stillings StreetFarnsworth Street Garage
17-19 Farnsworth StreetAtlantic Wharf Parking Garage
280 Congress StreetOne Seaport Garage
75 Sleeper Street390 Congress Street Lot
Congress Street and West Service Road Intersection321 Congress Street Lot
Located Diagonally Across from the MuseumPlease note the following parking facilities are privately owned and operated. Please confirm rates and closing times with the garages.
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We understand our visitors often travel with their four-legged friends. However, because animals – or birds and reptiles – are not a good fit for all of the children who play in our park, we find it necessary to have a policy for pets and their people. Pets, emotional support, and therapy animals are prohibited from entering the gated play space of the park. Only Service Animals may enter, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
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The use or possession of firearms, fireworks, explosives, or any type of weapon is prohibited at Martin’s Park.
Martin’s Park is a smoke-free and tobacco-free property. Smoking, the use of smokeless tobacco products, e-cigarettes, and unregulated products will not be permitted inside the gated play space and gardens.
The use of alcohol is prohibited except for private events.
The play space trail is a [hard-packed gravel] path that diverges through garden paths of granite steps and wooden pavers. Please wear appropriate footwear.
Address
64 Sleeper Street
Boston, MA 02210
Hours
Open Dawn to Dusk
For Inquiries
City of Boston Constituent Service Center
617-635-4500