Boston Acquired Sister Mary Veronica Park In South Boston for Permanent Open Space Preservation

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~ Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department have announced the official acquisition of Sister Mary Veronica Park in South Boston. This move secures the neighborhood gathering space as permanently protected public open space.

The decision was made at a public hearing on July 28, 2025, where the Boston Parks and Recreation Commission voted to approve the purchase of the park. Located at the intersection of West 8th, F, and Grimes Streets in South Boston, the property will now be protected in perpetuity under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. It will also be placed under a Conservation Restriction held by the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation. The closing for this acquisition took place on Thursday, August 14.

Mayor Michelle Wu expressed her dedication to preserving community spaces and ensuring accessibility for all residents. She stated, "Ensuring that our community spaces remain protected and accessible to all residents is a top priority. This acquisition of Sister Mary Veronica Park reflects our dedication to preserving our city's rich history and strengthening community-driven spaces across Boston."

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The City negotiated a price of $200,166.67 with the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston (RCAB), which was supported through funding from the Community Preservation Act for the Boston Open Space Acquisition Fund. This acquisition fulfills a years-long community effort to protect the property from potential development.

Originally owned by the City of Boston and transferred to the Archdiocese in 1955, Sister Mary Veronica Park became an informal pocket park in 1968 when the South Boston Resident Association cleaned and improved the parcels. Over time, it has been maintained by both the Archdiocese and neighbors. The park features five mature trees, several benches, and a small planter.

In 2023, when it was listed for sale, neighbors formed the "Save Sister Mary Veronica Park Committee" to advocate for its preservation as open space. Their efforts were successful as they gathered over 2,000 signatures from South Boston residents on a petition.

Cathy Baker-Eclipse, Interim Commissioner of Boston Parks and Recreation, expressed excitement about the acquisition and the park's future. She said, "We're excited to share that Sister Mary Veronica Park will now be a City park, ensuring that this space will remain a community asset for generations to come. We're grateful to the South Boston community for their advocacy on this project and look forward to maintaining the park as a welcoming place for all."

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Donna Brown, Executive Director of South Boston NDC, also shared her enthusiasm for the acquisition. She stated, "South Boston NDC is thrilled to support this acquisition by holding the long term conservation restriction to ensure that Sister Mary Veronica Park will remain open space in perpetuity. We're thankful to our neighbors whose advocacy will ensure this park and its mature trees continue to grow and strengthen South Boston's tree canopy for generations to come."

To stay updated on news, events, and improvements in Boston parks, residents can visit boston.gov/parks or call (617) 635-4505. They can also join the email list or follow the social media channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky. This acquisition marks an important step in preserving green spaces in Boston and ensuring they remain accessible for future generations.

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