On a perfect Sunday in May, Back Bay is bustling, the sidewalks on Newbury and Boylston streets packed with people just strolling or shopping, enjoying the sun. And in its premier park, the now partially renovated historic Copley Square, a couple of people try out the new benches. A bewildered rabbit searches in vain for a patch of grass.
The small beds of dying tulips provide their own commentary on what is now a bleak, soulless plaza of gray paving stones where once a wide lawn invited people to come and sit awhile.
After nearly two years of construction, during which the park was completely closed to the public, the project is still not completed. But what has been unveiled so far of the $18.9 million project looks rather like a mini version of the lifeless plaza that has always been the least attractive feature of Boston’s brutalist-style City Hall — a great place for large civic events but a barren and uninviting space most of the year.
Yes, Copley Square Park was indeed in need of renovation — its brick walkways were cracked and uneven and its fountain dysfunctional. But even with its flaws, it provided a comfortable setting for twice-weekly farmers markets during the growing season, First Night celebrations, occasional political demonstrations, Boston Marathon events, and a gathering spot for warm-weather lunches.
It also provided a picture-perfect setting, a front lawn for the stunning Trinity Church.
The sections still closed off and under renovation — scheduled to be completed by September — will include a patch of lawn closer to the church, and, yes, the young trees that are part of that vastly larger plaza will eventually grow taller and presumably supply some shade. But what has been unveiled thus far isn’t exactly playing to rave reviews.
When the park partially reopened in time to accommodate some Marathon-related activities last month, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said, “Copley Square Park will forever be an important landmark and gathering space that invites everyone in to enjoy our city.”
Inviting it isn’t — certainly not now.
There is, of course, the usual tugging and pulling of local forces over the use of public spaces. Meg Mainzer-Cohen, president of the Back Bay Association, which represents the business community in the area, told the Globe that the city’s intention was to make the space more amenable to public events, including entertainment.
Martyn Roetter, chair of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay, said the group had advocated a less costly repair, adding, “Our impression was that Sasaki (the new park’s designer) and the city were pushing to turn Copley Square into a venue like a smaller version of City Hall Plaza.”
Well, if that was the aim, mission accomplished.
Not that green space is incompatible with hosting public events. The Esplanade, where it’s not unknown for a half million people to gather on the Fourth of July, and Boston Common, host to many a rally and protest, are certainly testament to that.
In fact, the city did what appears to be a good job of seeking community opinion. But in that survey, enhancing the tree canopy came in at the top of the list with updating benches and seating second. Some 80 percent of respondents to a city survey of the park’s future wanted to “keep or increase the amount of green space.” What, precisely, did the city planners not understand about that?
The resulting principles governing its design, according to the survey, were to “comfortably accommodate everyday passive and social visits to the heart of Back Bay” and “provide a flexible platform for active programming, including a diversity of events, big and small.”
They certainly aren’t mutually exclusive — but the result thus far leans heavily toward the latter.
A barren landscape in the heart of the city, fringed with bits of green at its perimeters, isn’t what those surveyed asked for. And it isn’t anyone’s definition of a park.
Editorials represent the views of the Boston Globe Editorial Board. Follow us @GlobeOpinion.