This is part of a series photographing and reviewing playgrounds and parks in the Boston Metro Area; playgrounds and parks are an important part of the infrastructure that promotes healthy early childhood development; they should be celebrated and invested in to support young children and their families. (unfortunately, parks are currently closed due to COVID-19)

So far, we have looked at:

1.     Perkins School For The Blind’s Playground (Watertown)

2.     Pat and Gabriel Farren Playground (Watertown)

3.     Transportation Children Center’s Playground (Boston)

4.     Irving Park (Watertown)

5.     Smith Playground (Allston)

6.     Watertown’s 552 Main St Playground

7.     Mother’s Rest Playground along The Muddy River (Boston)

8.    Clifford Playground (Boston)

9. Dorothy Curran Playground at Joe Moakley Park (South Boston)

10. Martin Richard’s Part at The Smith Family Waterfront (Boston)

11. Filippello Playground (Watertown)

12: Artesani Playground (Brighton/Along Charles River)

13. Lowell Playground in Waltham

14: Bemis Playground (Watertown)

15. Beaver Brook Reservation Playground (Belmont)

16. Stanley A. Ringer Playground (Allston)

17. Sekler Playground (Cambridge)

18. Lawton Playground (Brookline)

This post is focused on the historic Arsenal Park and Playground in Watertown. The Watertown recreation department’s website describes the park as “situated on a 13.7 acre area located in an urban setting. Arsenal Park offers many amenities for leisure and sports activities.  For a small fee, picnic tables, barbecue grills, softball and playing fields are available for group outings and celebrations and offering the following amenities Amphitheater, Basketball Courts (2), Bocce Ball Court, Charcoal Grills (10), Community Garden, Cross-Country Running Course, Picnic Tables (19), Playground, Restrooms, Skate Park, Soccer Field, Softball Field, Tennis Bang Board, Tennis Courts (6), Volleyball Court, Walk/Bike Path, Water Sprinkler.” The land The Arsenal park sits next to the historic Arsenal Complex which is along Arsenal Street in Watertown. “During the years 1816-1829, the Watertown Arsenal, one of the first in the Country, was built along the Charles River. Its architecture was designed by Alexander Parris, who also designed Faneuil Hall in Boston. For its early function of ammunition storage, the Arsenal’s role was involved in arms and materials research that played an important role during World War II. Part of the facility was sold to the Town in the early 1960s and was redeveloped to encompass a large retail shopping mall, 13-acre park, housing development, and health care facility”

However, things are now changing even more in the area around the park. The Arsenal Mall is being redeveloped to become Arsenal Yards.  The new Arsenal Yards development when completed is supposed also include improvements to the park and easier access.

I lived about a mile away from Arsenal Park and attended many birthday parties at the grills next to the playgrounds and played baseball and pick up basketball at the park. Overall, it has kept getting better throughout my life and I hope that improvements continue with all of the new business investment in the area. The playground is well kept (it is currently closed due to COVID-19) and has a safe spongy ground surface to prevent injuries.

Below Are pictures of Arsenal Park as a whole followed by pictures focused on just the playground area at the end

Below are some bonus photos of historic the Commander Mansion which is less than a minute walk away from the playground.