Emerald Necklace
A seven-mile chain of parks, waterways, paths, bridges, and boulevards connects Back Bay to Franklin Park.
Artwork inspired by Childe Hassam
A seven-mile chain of parks, waterways, paths, bridges, and boulevards connects Back Bay to Franklin Park. The Necklace is landscape infrastructure. Muddy River drainage, transportation, public health, recreation, habitat, and neighborhood boundaries are composed through linked spaces rather than one ornamental park.
Walk or ride one section and use transit for the return. The route is least intuitive at roadway gaps, so follow a current map and distinguish river paths from street connectors. Bicycle conditions, lighting, crossings, and accessibility vary by segment. Construction around the Muddy River can reroute paths. Following the water clarifies why this beautiful chain is also civic engineering.
- Length
- About seven miles
- Designer
- Frederick Law Olmsted
- Chain
- Boston Common to Franklin Park
Quick guide
- Choose one reach
- The chain changes character repeatedly.
- Follow the water
- Drainage explains the park geometry.
Know before you go
- Choose one reach
- The chain changes character repeatedly.
- Follow the water
- Drainage explains the park geometry.
- Expect street gaps
- Not every link feels like parkland.
- Use transit
- A linear trip avoids retracing miles.
Good to know
Bicycle conditions, lighting, crossings, and accessibility vary by segment. Construction around the Muddy River can reroute paths.
Notice these
- Back Bay Fens
- Riverway
- Jamaica Pond