The Fens: A historic look back

The Back Bay Fens was once a polluted salt marsh. Noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted transformed the park in 1879, restoring the area to its original wetlands condition. The new park was called the “fens,” an arcane word for a “soupy piece of land.” Today, the park boasts walking paths, World War II victory gardens, a war memorial, a 17th century Japanese temple bell, a rose garden, playing fields and a healthy Canadian geese population. To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park, here is a look back at another notable historic landmark in the neighborhood.
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The Back Bay Fens was once a polluted salt marsh. Noted landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted transformed the park in 1879, restoring the area to its original wetlands condition. The new park was called the “fens,” an arcane word for a “soupy piece of land.”

Today, the park boasts walking paths, World War II victory gardens, a war memorial, a 17th century Japanese temple bell, a rose garden, playing fields and a healthy Canadian geese population.

To commemorate the 100th anniversary of Fenway Park, here is a look back at another notable historic landmark in the neighborhood.