Copley Square Park in Boston not as green as it used to be, replaced "with a lot of gray"
Copley Square Park in Boston looks a lot different than it did a few years ago, after its first upgrade in decades.
The grass is gone, replaced by cement paths meant to make gathering together a little easier. But, the new design isn't too popular because of the lack of green.
"Seems to be just kind of brick, concrete something," said Tedd York, who eats his lunch in the park.
"Before, it was a beautiful field, lots of space to gather and have picnics, and people are sad that we lost it. They replaced it with a lot of gray," said Rosa Bestmann, who was also having her lunch in the plaza.
"Sterile and soulless"
One person called it "sterile and soulless" and said Copley went from a park to a skatepark.
"When I visited as a kid, my Dad lived here, and we'd always sit in the plaza on the grass," said Bestmann. "I'm happy that it's back. I think that a community space is a space."
The park has been closed since July 2023. Since then, it has been undergoing an $18.9 million overhaul. Mayor Michelle Wu announced a partial reopening of the park before the Boston Marathon earlier this month. Now, she's hearing the critiques.
"More vibrant space"
"This is the result of months and months of community conversations, and so I am excited for what this will mean - a more walkable, vibrant space for everyone," said Wu.
Renderings of the design do show smaller lawn spaces in the back of the park. However, those are currently under construction. There is a yellow tulip feature at one end of the park that is drawing plenty of onlookers. Right now, it is the only green space in the park.
Beyond the aesthetics, the long completion time has some folks cracking Big Dig jokes. The expectation is that the city will continue its remodel through the spring by finishing the fountains and lawn areas. By then, it may show shades of its old self.
"There's a tortoise and a hare (statue). I don't know if that's a joke because it took so long," laughed York.
