A new park on eight acres beneath an Interstate 93 underpass now links two downtown neighborhoods in Boston, MA, while also providing an active urban space, cultural attraction, and parking amenity.
Landscaped pedestrian boardwalks and bicycle paths along the Fort Point Channel create new connections between communities previously separated by highway infrastructure. This new park adds to the transformation of the area known as Ink Block, a seven building mixed-use community that has revitalized a section of the South End.
Amenities at the park, known as Underground at Ink Block, include world-class street art, a dog park, curated retail, fitness, and food and beverage options, as well as a bike storage facility, 24-hour security, and 175 commercial parking spots.
“The goal of the project was to activate a previously desolate area of the South End by making it an engaging, active park,” says Ted Tye, a managing partner at National Development, which operates the park. “Working with MassDOT, we embraced the art culture of the area while creating a space that could be used both passively and actively.”
“An active event schedule is planned for the spring,” Tye says. “Based on the success of our opening event, which drew approximately 4,000 people, future events will focus on art, food, music, and fitness.”
The full article on Underground at Ink Block appeared in the November issue of Downtown Idea Exchange.
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