History

During the 1970’s and 1980’s, when the planning and construction of the Central Artery North Area Project (aka “The Tunnel”) began, the Charlestown community considered the dismantling of the old highway a singular opportunity to create an attractive open space. Thus, a group of highly motivated, creative, persistent, resolute individuals began the process to achieve the objective of creating a park, and in 1988, the City Square Park Committee was established.  Funds were secured for the planning, design, and construction of the park, and in July, 1992 City Square Park was designated a Boston Landmark site.  The City Square tunnels were completed in 1992, and the surface restoration followed in 1993.
 
In 1994, responding to input from Charlestown residents and working with artist David Phillips, the landscape design firm Halvorson Design Partnership, Inc. satisfied the community's concerns by incorporating sculptural pieces and park ornamentation with associations to Charlestown's rich history.
 
In April, 1994, the City Square Park Committee became the Friends of City Square Park, with a governing board of twenty directors led by a governor.  One can imagine the emotions this group felt on that frosty morning of April 5, 1995 at the groundbreaking ceremony of this long imagined dream.