Make Way for Ducklings

Make Way for Ducklings is a bronze sculpture in Boston Public Garden depicting Mrs. Mallard and her eight ducklings in motion. The figures stand on a pathway through the park's landscaped grounds, creating a scene as if the family is crossing through the garden.

The sculpture was created by artist Nancy Schön in 1987, based on Robert McCloskey's children's book from 1941 that tells of a duck family's journey through Boston. The book itself came from McCloskey's observations of the park and its waterways.

The sculptures connect a beloved children's book to the city's literary identity and serve as a gathering spot for those who grew up reading the story. They show how literature can become part of a place's character.

The sculpture sits near the corner of Beacon Street and Charles Street in the public garden. Visit on a day when the park is less crowded to better see the details of the bronze figures and take photos without interruption.

Local residents and visitors regularly dress the ducks in seasonal outfits, from sports jerseys during major championships to winter scarves in cold months. This impromptu tradition reveals how the sculpture has become a living part of the community's connection to the park.

Location: Boston

Inception: October 4, 1987

Creator: Nancy Schön

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 42.35552,-71.06976

Latest update: December 8, 2025 20:02