Southwest Corridor Park

The Southwest Corridor Park is a 4-mile stretch spanning from the Back Bay to Forest Hills, linking the Back Bay, South End, Roxbury, and Jamaica Plain with a street-level greenway. This makes for a great way to explore these several Boston neighborhoods and enjoy the activities the Southwest Corridor has along the way!

In the 50’s and 60’s, plans were developed for a 12-lane highway between Boston and Route 128, although residents of surrounding neighborhoods protested this. In response to protests Governor Francis Sargent canceled the plan for the expressway and designated the Southwest Corridor to be open space and recreation instead. 

At the time it was the largest single construction project undertaken in Massachusetts, with over 1000 meetings with the community. Soon after, the Orange Line opened, and the Metropolitan District Commission held a grand opening ceremony for the corridor parkway. The park received numerous awards for revitalizing urban living and raising community spirit, which has become vital in Boston Neighborhoods throughout the city. The park now has numerous facilities such as 11 tot lot areas, 7 basketball courts, 5 tennis courts, 2 spray pools, 2 street hockey rinks, 2 amphitheaters and various paths for biking and walking.