Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Parks Department Announce Acquisition of Egleston Square Peace Garden

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Boston, MA – Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department have officially announced the City’s acquisition of the Egleston Square Peace Garden, ensuring the preservation of this community space for future generations. The announcement was made during a community cleanup event, which brought together local residents, advocates, and city officials to celebrate the acquisition and the importance of the space as a community asset.

“Community members turned this vacant lot into a vibrant space, now we’re proud to preserve this space for the residents who helped transform it,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m thankful to Friends of Egleston Square Peace Garden, Egleston Square Main Streets, and all who helped advocate to make sure this area had a place they could call their own.”

The Egleston Square Peace Garden was established in 1998 by high school students who converted a vacant lot into a memorial for young victims of violence. For over two decades, local residents, businesses, and community members have maintained the space, using it for concerts, cookouts, and other community gatherings. Originally owned by Clear Channel Outdoor, the space was leased to the Ecumenical Social Action Committee (ESAC Boston) for free until 2018, at which point the lease expired, and the property was put up for sale.

In response, the community, along with Friends of Egleston Square Peace Garden and Egleston Square Main Streets, organized efforts to advocate for the land’s preservation. Their work led to the City’s acquisition of the property in 2024, purchased for $300,000 using Community Preservation Act funds, after Mayor Wu announced the City’s intent to acquire the land in her 2023 State of the City Address.

Cathy Baker-Eclipse, Director of Capital Planning for Boston Parks and Recreation, expressed the City’s commitment to maintaining the space. “We’re thrilled to share that the Egleston Square Peace Garden will now be a City park, ensuring that this beloved space will remain a community asset for generations to come,” said Baker-Eclipse. “We look forward to working with the community to shape the next chapter, continuing the legacy of those who helped build it.”

In August 2024, the billboard on the site was removed, along with the surrounding chain link fence that had been in place since 2021. Following a site assessment, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department plans to host community design meetings to gather input for the garden’s future development.

“The peace garden is the heart of Egleston Square, that’s the only green space we have in this neighborhood,” said Rosana Rivera, a long-time steward of the garden. “I'm proud that the City of Boston saw fit to preserve our neighborhood and give us a garden that all of the community may enjoy now and for future generations.”

For more information on the Egleston Square Peace Garden, please contact the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at (617) 635-4505. Stay updated on news, events, and park improvements by signing up for the department's email list at bit.ly/Get-Parks-Emails and following @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Information for this article was sourced from the City of Boston’s press release and event postings.