Two centuries separate the creation of the Boston Common and the Public Garden, and what a difference that period made.
In 1634 the Boston Common was created as America’s first public park; it was practical and pastoral with walkways built for crosstown travel.
It includes ballfields, a tot lot and the Frog Pond, which provides skating in winter and a spray pool for children in the summer.
In contrast, the Public Garden was the first public botanical garden in America. It was decorative and flowery from its inception, featuring meandering pathways for strolling.
https://boston10kforwomen.com/kids-races/
https://www.boston.gov/parks/public-garden
https://www.boston.gov/parks/boston-common
