Just imagine *: “We are now standing at the edge of an extraordinary little park. Here at mid-day, the walking labyrinth at the park’s center has attracted both North End residents and visitors from Faneuil Hall Marketplace. Some are thoughtfully following its meandering path while a number of children are skipping around the path toward the water jet at its center. Some, shedding their flip-flops, are splashing about with squeals of delight. In contrast, many dressed for downtown’s business have settled on a bench with brown bag lunch, clearly enjoying the activity before them.”
* In response to The Big Dig's Payoff - It's Easy to Imagine the Greenway in 10 years. By Thomas C. Palmer Jr. Boston Sunday Globe Magazine, May 24, 2007
Armenian Heritage Park, a gift to the City of Boston and the Commonwealth from Massachusetts Armenian-Americans, is for all to enjoy. Celebrated as open, green and excellent, the Park is consistent with key themes of the Greenway: to acknowledge the history of Boston as a port of entry for immigrants worldwide, and to celebrate those who have migrated to Massachusetts shores and contributed to the richness of American life and culture.
Located on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway on parcel 13 between Faneuil Hall and Christopher Columbus Park, the Park includes lawns, fountains, shade trees and benches as well as two key features both to engage and delight children and adults:
Abstract Sculpture, a twelve-sided split dodecahedron, sits atop a reflecting pool its waters washing over the sides. Annually, the Sculpture will be reconfigured to commemorate the immigrant experience and to celebrate all who come to these shores and reinvent themselves in new and different ways. The sculpture is dedicated to lives lost during the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1923 and all genocides.
Labyrinth, the circular winding path in grass and inlaid stone, celebrates life’s journey. A single jet of water at its center represents hope and rebirth.
"We are delighted that the labyrinth is such an integral part. The ancient pattern of the labyrinth has crossed time, cultures and religions throughout history and has become a universal metaphor of peace, harmony, contemplation and healing. It is an imaginative and creative device for people of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to engage one another. The inclusion of the labyrinth invites all expressions of faith and culture, and ethnicity to walk the path of diverse community together. It quite literally circumscribes common ground for all to walk! The lessons are deep, but very obvious with every step we take: We are all on this path together. We may not walk at the same pace, and often we may feel like we are going in different directions, sometimes in step with each other, sometimes alone. But ultimately all of us are on the same path, and that path offers us all opportunities for reconciliation and wholeness and hope...".
- Kathleen Musser and Tricia Kibbe, Labyrinth Guild of New England
Armenian Heritage Park is being constructed at no expense to the taxpayer, and will be cared for and maintained in perpetuity.