Copley Square, Pedestrian zone at Copley Square in Back Bay, Boston, US.
Description
Copley Square is a vehicle-free zone at Copley Square in the Back Bay neighborhood of Boston, surrounded by historic buildings and public institutions. The paved plaza spans several city blocks and offers seating beneath trees as well as green spaces between the walkways.
History
The city permanently closed a section of Dartmouth Street to traffic in 2022, creating additional pedestrian space around the plaza. This redesign followed earlier twentieth-century reconfigurations that had altered its shape and use.
Culture
The site takes its name from painter John Singleton Copley and has served as the central plaza of Back Bay for over a century. Today it acts as a meeting point for neighbors during lunch breaks and hosts seasonal events like concerts and weekend farmers' markets.
Practical
The plaza remains accessible throughout the day and sits centrally between several subway stations, making it easy to reach. Raised wooden platforms around the trees offer comfortable seating with shade during warm months.
Did you know?
The fountain was deliberately preserved during the redesign and kept its characteristic obelisks and water jets from the earlier design. However, the pool depth was reduced for greater safety while the edges were rounded to prevent injuries.
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