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IWALKED BOSTON’S PUBLIC GARDEN – BAGHEERA FOUNTAIN Located near the central eastern entrance to the Boston Public Garden (along Charles Street) is a fountain of a black panther which was originally titled Night. The fountain consists of a black-toned Indian Leopard swiping at an eagle with his right paw. The work of art was designed by local artist and dedicated to the Boston Public Garden in 1986. Prior to its unveiling the work was renamed Bagheera in honor of the panther in Rudyard Kipling’s famous tale from 1894,The Jungle Book. In the story Bagheera (along with Baloo, Kaa and others) help raise a young abandoned boy (Mowgli) in the dangerous jungle and teach him the lessons of life. Website:http://www.publicartboston.com/content/bagheera-fountain Address: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, MA. Near the central Charles Street entrance and just off towards your left upon entering the park. Cost: Free. IWalked Audio Tours To See This Site: Boston’s Common and Public Gardens. (Purchase the MP3 tour here. iPhone application tour is available here. Please note, all Boston tours are now available as in-app purchases upon download of our FREEBoston Lite application, which includes a free 1 hour tour of a portion of Downtown.)

IWALKED BOSTON’S PUBLIC GARDEN – BAGHEERA FOUNTAIN

Located near the central eastern entrance to the Boston Public Garden (along Charles Street) is a fountain of a black panther which was originally titled Night. The fountain consists of a black-toned Indian Leopard swiping at an eagle with his right paw. The work of art was designed by local artist and dedicated to the Boston Public Garden in 1986.

Prior to its unveiling the work was renamed Bagheera in honor of the panther in Rudyard Kipling’s famous tale from 1894,The Jungle Book. In the story Bagheera (along with Baloo, Kaa and others) help raise a young abandoned boy (Mowgli) in the dangerous jungle and teach him the lessons of life.

Website:http://www.publicartboston.com/content/bagheera-fountain

Address: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, MA. Near the central Charles Street entrance and just off towards your left upon entering the park.

Cost: Free.

IWalked Audio Tours To See This Site: Boston’s Common and Public Gardens. (Purchase the MP3 tour here. iPhone application tour is available here. Please note, all Boston tours are now available as in-app purchases upon download of our FREEBoston Lite application, which includes a free 1 hour tour of a portion of Downtown.)

IWALKED BOSTON’S PUBLIC GARDEN Boston’s Public Garden was the very first public garden in the United States. It was created in 1837 when the city granted a man by the name of Horace Grant, a former Supreme Court Justice the right to develop this land filled area. Its earliest roots (if you’ll pardon the pun) trace back to Mr. Grant’s camellia collection, as these were the inaugural plants placed within the garden. Over the ensuing years the city actually tried to sell off the land for commercial purposes, however, Gray fought the city on each occasion. Finally in 1859 the city committed funds for formal development and design of the twenty-four acre land. A competition for the design of the garden was won by George Meacham whom won $100 for his efforts. Work began immediately and in 1859 the lake was completed and flower beds / paths established in a French design. The iron perimeter fence was later added in 1862. While you’re walking along the lake take time to admire the numerous weeping beeches which hang over the water as if in desire to forever keep its outskirts protected. There are reportedly more than fourteen of these which blanket the lake. Trees and flowers are labeled throughout the park so that visitors may easily identify their species. The park is maintained by a non-profit group called the Friends of the Public Garden and Common. It consists of a group of over 2,500 volunteers who assist in maintenance of the garden. They were formed in 1970 and still play in active part in keeping this garden in the picturesque condition which you see it today. Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Garden_(Boston) Address: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, MA. It is bordered by Beacon Street (North), Charles Street (East), Boylston Street (South) and Arlington Street (West). Cost: Free. IWalked Audio Tours To See This Site: Boston’s Common and Public Gardens. (Purchase the MP3 tour here. iPhone application tour is available here. Please note, all Boston tours are now available as in-app purchases upon download of our FREEBoston Lite application, which includes a free 1 hour tour of a portion of Downtown.)

IWALKED BOSTON’S PUBLIC GARDEN

Boston’s Public Garden was the very first public garden in the United States. It was created in 1837 when the city granted a man by the name of Horace Grant, a former Supreme Court Justice the right to develop this land filled area. Its earliest roots (if you’ll pardon the pun) trace back to Mr. Grant’s camellia collection, as these were the inaugural plants placed within the garden.

Over the ensuing years the city actually tried to sell off the land for commercial purposes, however, Gray fought the city on each occasion. Finally in 1859 the city committed funds for formal development and design of the twenty-four acre land. A competition for the design of the garden was won by George Meacham whom won $100 for his efforts. Work began immediately and in 1859 the lake was completed and flower beds / paths established in a French design. The iron perimeter fence was later added in 1862.

While you’re walking along the lake take time to admire the numerous weeping beeches which hang over the water as if in desire to forever keep its outskirts protected. There are reportedly more than fourteen of these which blanket the lake. Trees and flowers are labeled throughout the park so that visitors may easily identify their species.

The park is maintained by a non-profit group called the Friends of the Public Garden and Common. It consists of a group of over 2,500 volunteers who assist in maintenance of the garden. They were formed in 1970 and still play in active part in keeping this garden in the picturesque condition which you see it today.

Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_Garden_(Boston)

Address: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, MA. It is bordered by Beacon Street (North), Charles Street (East), Boylston Street (South) and Arlington Street (West).

Cost: Free.

IWalked Audio Tours To See This Site: Boston’s Common and Public Gardens. (Purchase the MP3 tour here. iPhone application tour is available here. Please note, all Boston tours are now available as in-app purchases upon download of our FREEBoston Lite application, which includes a free 1 hour tour of a portion of Downtown.)

IWALKED BOSTON’S PUBLIC GARDEN – FOOT BRIDGE The foot bridge within the Boston Public Garden was built in 1867 and is sometimes referred to as the smallest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. This is actually not valid. Now we could point out that Wiggly Bridge in York, Maine also makes a similar claim and this alone would make the matter debatable. Probably the more convincing argument, however, would lie in the fact that the bridge was actually converted to a girder bridge in 1921. While elements of the suspension are still visible, they do not serve a functional purpose. If you attempt to traverse this foot bridge whilst the weather is even mildly tolerable, expect to be greeted by the friendly toll trolls of Boston’s musicians anxiously awaiting your spare change. Website: http://www.publicartboston.com/content/public-garden-footbridge Address: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, MA. Located within the center of the lagoon. Cost: Free. IWalked Audio Tours To See This Site: Boston’s Common and Public Gardens. Purchase the MP3 tour here. iPhone application tour is available here. Please note, all Boston tours are now available as in-app purchases upon download of our FREEBoston Lite application, which includes a free 1 hour tour of a portion of Downtown.)

IWALKED BOSTON’S PUBLIC GARDEN – FOOT BRIDGE

The foot bridge within the Boston Public Garden was built in 1867 and is sometimes referred to as the smallest pedestrian suspension bridge in the world. This is actually not valid. Now we could point out that Wiggly Bridge in York, Maine also makes a similar claim and this alone would make the matter debatable. Probably the more convincing argument, however, would lie in the fact that the bridge was actually converted to a girder bridge in 1921. While elements of the suspension are still visible, they do not serve a functional purpose.

If you attempt to traverse this foot bridge whilst the weather is even mildly tolerable, expect to be greeted by the friendly toll trolls of Boston’s musicians anxiously awaiting your spare change.

Website: http://www.publicartboston.com/content/public-garden-footbridge

Address: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, MA. Located within the center of the lagoon.

Cost: Free.

IWalked Audio Tours To See This Site: Boston’s Common and Public Gardens. Purchase the MP3 tour here. iPhone application tour is available here. Please note, all Boston tours are now available as in-app purchases upon download of our FREEBoston Lite application, which includes a free 1 hour tour of a portion of Downtown.)

IWALKED BOSTON’S PUBLIC GARDEN – SMALL CHILD FOUNTAIN The Small Child Fountain, located just north of the famous George Washington Equestrian Statue, was sculpted by local artist Mary E. Moore. The fountain may typically be found running between the months of May-September during which time you will likely catch some brave children running up to the fountain to enjoy the refreshing water. The fountain is of a small nude boy sitting atop a pile of rock and staring at whatever small kids look at in some instances. Here he may be appearing at the rocks, the leaf atop the rocks, or perhaps it is just his knee. Irregardless the fountain is clearly a tribute to the innocence of youth. Website: http://www.publicartboston.com/content/small-child-fountain Address: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, MA. West side of the park near Arlington Street. Just north of the George Washington Equestrian statue. Cost: Free. IWalked Audio Tours To See This Site: Boston’s Common and Public Gardens. Purchase the MP3 tour here. iPhone application tour is available here. Please note, all Boston tours are now available as in-app purchases upon download of our FREEBoston Lite application, which includes a free 1 hour tour of a portion of Downtown.)

IWALKED BOSTON’S PUBLIC GARDEN – SMALL CHILD FOUNTAIN

The Small Child Fountain, located just north of the famous George Washington Equestrian Statue, was sculpted by local artist Mary E. Moore. The fountain may typically be found running between the months of May-September during which time you will likely catch some brave children running up to the fountain to enjoy the refreshing water. The fountain is of a small nude boy sitting atop a pile of rock and staring at whatever small kids look at in some instances. Here he may be appearing at the rocks, the leaf atop the rocks, or perhaps it is just his knee. Irregardless the fountain is clearly a tribute to the innocence of youth.

Website: http://www.publicartboston.com/content/small-child-fountain

Address: Boston Public Gardens, Boston, MA. West side of the park near Arlington Street. Just north of the George Washington Equestrian statue.

Cost: Free.

IWalked Audio Tours To See This Site: Boston’s Common and Public Gardens. Purchase the MP3 tour here. iPhone application tour is available here. Please note, all Boston tours are now available as in-app purchases upon download of our FREEBoston Lite application, which includes a free 1 hour tour of a portion of Downtown.)