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Boston by Bike Ride - Franklin Park Zoo

Enjoy Boston's neighborhoods by bike! Bring your own or take a free ride on Bluebikes.

June 11, 2019
Event Date2019-06-11T18:30:00

The Boston Transportation Department is hosting a series of neighborhood bike rides this summer. This ride will start at the Franklin Park Zoo Bluebikes station, and explore parts of Roxbury and Dorchester. 

Riders should feel comfortable riding a bike and ready to ride on-street with traffic. Helmets are required. A free Bluebikes trip and/or helmet will be provided to those who register in advance.

June 11, 2019
Event Date2019-06-11T18:30:00

Canceled:
2020 Return of the Swans

Reason for cancellation: We're canceling this event because of the public health emergency in Boston.
May 1, 2020
Event Date2020-05-01T10:15:00

After residing at the Franklin Park Zoo for the winter, the City's favorite swans, Romeo and Juliet, will return to the Boston Public Garden for another beautiful Boston summer. 

2020 Return of the Swans

The swans will be returned to the lagoon following a parade that begins at the Beacon and Charles Street corner of the park, near the “Make Way for Ducklings” statues.  Led by a brass band, carts beautifully decorated by Boston’s Winston Flowers will help usher the swans to the release site.

The accompanying entertainment program, sponsored in part by the Friends of the Public Garden, begins at 10:15 a.m.  The celebration will include a brass band, face painters, a reading of “Make Way for Ducklings” led by the Boston Park Rangers, and children’s activities presented by the Four Seasons Hotel Boston.  In-kind sponsors HP Hood LLC and the Four Seasons Hotel Boston will provide refreshments.

May 1, 2020
Event Date2020-05-01T10:15:00

White Stadium Enrichment Program

The White Stadium Enrichment Program offers boys and girls ages 7 - 14 the opportunity to participate in a five-week reading, writing, and math enrichment program.

July 15, 2019
  • 8:30am - 3:00pm
    Repeats weekly on Monday, starting from July 15, 2019, until August 12, 2019
  • 450 Walnut Avenue
    Boston, MA 02130
  • Contact:
    Parks and Recreation
  • send an email
  • 617-635-4505
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Jamaica Plain
    Roxbury
  • Event Type:
    Outdoor
    Sports and health
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-07-15T08:30:00 - 2019-07-15T15:00:00

Pre-registration is required and space is limited. For more information, contact Woodley Auguste at woodley.auguste@boston.gov or 617-961-3084.

Parks online activity search

July 15, 2019
  • 8:30am - 3:00pm
    Repeats weekly on Monday, starting from July 15, 2019, until August 12, 2019
  • 450 Walnut Avenue
    Boston, MA 02130
  • Contact:
    Parks and Recreation
  • send an email
  • 617-635-4505
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Jamaica Plain
    Roxbury
  • Event Type:
    Outdoor
    Sports and health
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-07-15T08:30:00 - 2019-07-15T15:00:00

White Stadium Sports Center

This sport-teaching center offers boys and girls ages 7 - 14 the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of a variety of sports in this six-week program.

July 6, 2020
  • 8:30am - 2:45pm
    Repeats weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, starting from July 6, 2020, until August 28, 2020
  • 450 Walnut Avenue
    Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
  • Contact:
    Parks and Recreation
  • send an email
  • 617-635-4505
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Jamaica Plain
    Roxbury
  • Event Type:
    Outdoor
    Sports and health
  • Published Date
Event Date2020-07-06T08:30:00 - 2020-08-28T14:45:00

Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Woodley Auguste at woodley.auguste@boston.gov or 617-961-3084.

Register

July 6, 2020
  • 8:30am - 2:45pm
    Repeats weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, starting from July 6, 2020, until August 28, 2020
  • 450 Walnut Avenue
    Jamaica Plain, MA 02130
  • Contact:
    Parks and Recreation
  • send an email
  • 617-635-4505
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Jamaica Plain
    Roxbury
  • Event Type:
    Outdoor
    Sports and health
  • Published Date
Event Date2020-07-06T08:30:00 - 2020-08-28T14:45:00

South Boston Summer Sports Center

This is a full day drop-in program for youth ages 7 - 14 who are residents of the City of Boston.

July 6, 2020
  • 9:00am - 3:00pm
    Repeats weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, starting from July 6, 2020, until August 28, 2020
  • M Street Park
    775 East First Street
    South Boston, MA 02127
  • Contact:
    Mavrick Afonso
  • send an email
  • 617-961-3039
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    South Boston
  • Event Type:
    Outdoor
    Sports and health
  • Published Date
Event Date2020-07-06T09:00:00 - 2020-08-28T15:00:00

Children will participate in many traditional and non-traditional recreation activities. Parents may register their children for one day, a week, or the entire summer. For more information, contact Mavrick Afonso at (617) 961-3039 or mavrick.afonso@boston.gov.

Parks online activity search

July 6, 2020
  • 9:00am - 3:00pm
    Repeats weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, starting from July 6, 2020, until August 28, 2020
  • M Street Park
    775 East First Street
    South Boston, MA 02127
  • Contact:
    Mavrick Afonso
  • send an email
  • 617-961-3039
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    South Boston
  • Event Type:
    Outdoor
    Sports and health
  • Published Date
Event Date2020-07-06T09:00:00 - 2020-08-28T15:00:00

Out of the Park Red Sox event

In partnership with the Boston Red Sox and the Highland Street Foundation, our annual Out of the Park event transforms a busy corner of the Boston Common into Fenway Park.

June 15, 2019
  • 2:30pm
  • 139 Tremont Street
    Boston, MA 02111
  • Contact:
    Highland Street Foundation
  • 617-969-8900
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Back Bay
    Downtown
  • Event Type:
    Family friendly
    Outdoor
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-06-15T14:30:00

While a Red Sox game is presented live on a big screen, we recreate the excitement of Fenway with free food, games, and fun activities for the entire family.

For more information contact Highland Street Foundation at 617-969-8900.

June 15, 2019
  • 2:30pm
  • 139 Tremont Street
    Boston, MA 02111
  • Contact:
    Highland Street Foundation
  • 617-969-8900
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Back Bay
    Downtown
  • Event Type:
    Family friendly
    Outdoor
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-06-15T14:30:00

Tanglewood in the City

Join us for a live simulcast on Boston Common of the Boston Symphony Orchestra from their summer home Tanglewood in the Berkshires.

July 19, 2019
Event Date2019-07-19T20:00:00

Bring your lawn chair and picnic to enjoy music Tanglewood-style!

Boston Symphony Orchestra

Andris Nelsons, conductor
Gautier Capuçon, cello

Music

Betsy JOLAS A Little Summer Suite
SAINT-SAËNS Cello Concerto No. 1
DEBUSSY La Mer
RAVEL La Valse

July 19, 2019
Event Date2019-07-19T20:00:00

2023 Boston Children's Rec Fest

Join us for a day of fun with family-friendly activities.

August 22, 2023
Event Date2023-08-22T10:00:00 - 2023-08-22T13:00:00
  • Join us on Tuesday, August 22, from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Franklin Park (Playsted Field) for our Boston Children’s Rec Fest! Hosted by Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department in partnership this is the perfect school vacation event for kids of all ages.
  • This year's festival will feature music, giveaways, various attractions, treats, crafts, and much more! This event is FREE and open to all. 

Children at a recent Boston Parks event

August 22, 2023
Event Date2023-08-22T10:00:00 - 2023-08-22T13:00:00

Frog Pond Spray Pool Opening 2025

Count down with us as the giant spray flume goes off and children hop into the Frog Pond.

June 24, 2025
Event Date2025-06-24T11:00:00 - 2025-06-24T13:00:00

Mayor Michelle Wu and The Skating Club of Boston are pleased to welcome children and their caregivers to kick off the 2025 summer wading season as the Boston Common Frog Pond spray pool reopens on Tuesday, June 24.

The wading pool opening is made possible by title sponsor Bank of America and presenting sponsor H.P. Hood LLC. The event will include an exciting celebration at 11 a.m. followed by the opening of the spray pool.

In addition to activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., residents can enjoy tasty treats and a visit from official mascot Frog Pond Freddie. 

A year-round recreational facility, the Frog Pond offers ice skating in the winter, a spray pool and supervised wading for youth in the summer, and the Carousel from spring through fall. Information on additional activities offered at the Frog Pond can be found by visiting www.bostonfrogpond.com.

The Frog Pond spray pool is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Labor Day. The facility is managed by The Skating Club of Boston and staffed by youth workers from the Boston Youth Fund. For further information, please call the Frog Pond at (617) 635-2120.

To stay up to date with news, events, and design and construction work in Boston Parks, sign up for our email list at bit.ly/Get-Parks-Emails and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, and Instagram.

June 24, 2025
Event Date2025-06-24T11:00:00 - 2025-06-24T13:00:00

Plant the City

We're seeking youth volunteers to help us plant fruits and vegetables in their communities.

May 18, 2019
  • 10:00am
  • 1483 Tremont Street
    Boston, MA 02120
  • Contact:
    Ruth Georges
  • send an email
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Allston
    Back Bay
    Bay Village
    Beacon Hill
    Brighton
    Charlestown
    Chinatown/Leather District
    Dorchester
    Downtown
    East Boston
    Fenway/Kenmore
    Hyde Park
    Jamaica Plain
    Mattapan
    Mission Hill
    North End
    Roslindale
    Roxbury
    South Boston
    South End
    West End
    West Roxbury
  • Event Type:
    Civic Engagement
    Environment and green living
    Food and farmers markets
    Outdoor
    Social good
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-05-18T10:00:00

Did you know that there are farmers in the City?

Join Youth Engagement and Employment and Food Access on May 18 to help provide healthy food options for your community by planting fruits and vegetables to be harvested and shared with your neighbors this summer. Come learn about urban farming and plant healthy food for your community! 

Free breakfast and lunch, and free swag. These are volunteer hours.

RSVP for the event

May 18, 2019
  • 10:00am
  • 1483 Tremont Street
    Boston, MA 02120
  • Contact:
    Ruth Georges
  • send an email
  • Price:
    Price
    FREE
  • Neighborhood:
    Neighborhood
    Citywide
    Allston
    Back Bay
    Bay Village
    Beacon Hill
    Brighton
    Charlestown
    Chinatown/Leather District
    Dorchester
    Downtown
    East Boston
    Fenway/Kenmore
    Hyde Park
    Jamaica Plain
    Mattapan
    Mission Hill
    North End
    Roslindale
    Roxbury
    South Boston
    South End
    West End
    West Roxbury
  • Event Type:
    Civic Engagement
    Environment and green living
    Food and farmers markets
    Outdoor
    Social good
  • Published Date
Event Date2019-05-18T10:00:00
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