Visit

WAYS TO DISCOVER AND LEARN

  • OUR GARDEN

    Connect with nature and learn about the plants, stone and wood used throughout Martin’s Park.

  • OUR PLAY SPACE

    Explore our inventive play structures that invite children of all abilities.

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

  • 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.

    Google Maps

    MBTA Trip Planner

    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.

  • Metered parking is available along Seaport Boulevard and its surrounding streets. Private garage options are also available.

    Stillings Street Garage
    11 Stillings Street

    Farnsworth Street Garage
    17-19 Farnsworth Street

    Atlantic Wharf Parking Garage
    280 Congress Street

    One Seaport Garage
    75 Sleeper Street

    390 Congress Street Lot
    Congress Street and West Service Road Intersection

    321 Congress Street Lot
    Located Diagonally Across from the Museum

    Please note the following parking facilities are privately owned and operated. Please confirm rates and closing times with the garages.

  • 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.

    • 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