As you likely know already, we often play our games on the fields in The Back Bay Fens – the local park which most of us abbreviate as “The Fens.” But did you know that this area – and the chain of parks to which it is connected – were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the landscape architect who planned and created some of the most famous parks and campuses in the USA?
He designed NYC’s Central Park, the grounds at UC Berkeley, Stanford University and The University of Chicago – and many, many other impressive sites around the country. He was even involved in the landscaping of the US Capitol in Washington, DC. Pretty cool, right?
But it’s also important to note the philosophy behind his endeavors. Olmsted was a strong believer that beautiful public spaces should be available to everyone – not just the rich, powerful and privileged. He understood and valued the therapeutic and inspirational power of the great outdoors.
His thinking helped lead to the establishment of National Parks and National Forests all over America – lands that have been preserved in perpetuity for the recreation and enjoyment of all.
While Olmsted laid the groundwork for the park’s natural beauty, the specific athletic field we use today has its own story. The Back Bay Fens athletic field was not officially constructed in 1926, decades after Olmsted’s original designs. It was built to support the growing interest in organized sports in the city—particularly baseball —making it one of Boston’s oldest active recreational fields.
So, the next time you’re at The Fens readying yourself to hit a home run (or perhaps a blooper single), say a quiet thank you to F. L. Olmsted for designing a magnificent park in Boston – and for helping create a system that has sheltered and preserved countless acres of rivers, fields and forests for the benefit of everyone.