Is Franklin Park the worst city park of its size in the country?

Submitted by Victor_Korchnoi t3_yip3s1 in boston

At ~500 acres, Franklin Park is the largest in the Boston Parks Department, but it kinda sucks.

Franklin Park is bounded to the West by Jamaica Plain, to the North by Roxbury, to the East by Dorchester, and to the South by Forest Hills cemetery.

Originally designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Franklin Park looks quite different than his intent. Land has been taken from the park for the Franklin Park Zoo, the 18-hole William Devine Golf Course, the White Stadium, and the Shattuck Hospital (and associated parking lot).

Things are particularly bleak on the Dorchester side. The zoo and the golf course take up that entire side of the park, leaving no space for Dorchester residents to recreate for free. There are 2 ball fields, 4 tennis courts, 2 basketball courts, 2 playgrounds in Franklin Park—none of these are on the Dorchester side of the park.

Some park amenities that Franklin Park could benefit from: open lawn space for playing pickup games of soccer volleyball etc., a public pool, a disc golf course (a free activity), a community garden, a rose garden, a regular outdoor garden, an ice skating rink, public art, more playgrounds/ball fields/courts, a dog park.

Am I alone in thinking this park kinda sucks? Is there a worse urban park of this size in the country?

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Comments

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VicVinegar88 t1_iuk8pss wrote

The golf course is over 100 years old, so I wouldn't say the land was taken from the park. Pretty well established at this point. It is a very good muni right in the heart of the city and provides accessible recreation at an affordable price compared to other courses. It has value to the community and is packed all summer so it also provides some revenue.

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ZoneFive t1_iuk536q wrote

When Olmsted designed the park it was supposed to rival that of Central Park which he also designed. The city was supposed to move to it with large buildings all around similar to Central Park but the city never moved in that direction. Unfortunately it ended up in a poorer, more crime ridden area and was neglected.

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psychout7 t1_iujrb9p wrote

A major renovation for Franklin park is in the works. I have no idea where to find it, but I pretty sure a master plan had been released

There are grass fields to play pickup sports - playstead

There was a temporary disc golf course at the beginning of COVID. I don't know why it came out without a plan for a more permanent one. Maybe there is a plan and I just don't know it

I don't value golf at all. So I agree that the space is pretty wasteful

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Acceptable_Tourist_4 t1_iuk4ao7 wrote

I don’t play golf but I value it as a sport that a lot of people can participate in despite physical limitations and/or particular skill. It’s a chance to get outdoors and do a little walking, while enjoying nature. Franklin Park’s golf course is especially important as being one of the only inner city golf courses, making golf accessible to demographics that otherwise wouldn’t get a chance to participate, including POC’s, and the economically disadvantaged.

Yes it takes up a lot of space. But it’s one of the only of its kind in the country.

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directtodvd420 t1_iukb1pa wrote

When you think about the advantages that come with being able to golf in the networking sense, this makes me actually support this use of space.

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michael_scarn_21 t1_iujqt04 wrote

I don't know if it's the worst in the country because I haven't seen every large park but it is shite.

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Victor_Korchnoi OP t1_iujr201 wrote

It kinda irks me that the city is doing a whole new master plan for the Common. The Common is already pretty nice. Spend those resources fixing Franklin Park.

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