Staff Reporter
Boston has taken a significant step in preserving one of its most cherished neighborhood spaces. Mayor Michelle Wu, alongside the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, confirmed that the City has officially acquired Sister Mary Veronica Park in South Boston, ensuring the small but vital community park remains a permanently protected public open space.
The Boston Parks and Recreation Commission voted in favor of the acquisition on July 28, 2025, following a public hearing that drew attention from community members who had long pushed for the park’s protection. The final closing on the property was completed on August 14.
Story Highlights
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Sister Mary Veronica Park in South Boston officially acquired by the City.
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Permanently protected under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution.
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Conservation Restriction held by South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation.
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Purchase price: $200,166.67, supported through Community Preservation Act funds.
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Community campaign gathered 2,000+ signatures to preserve the space.
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Park features include mature trees, benches, and a planter.
A Community Victory Years in the Making
The property sits at the intersection of West 8th, F, and Grimes Streets in South Boston. For decades, the park served as an informal neighborhood gathering place, maintained by both the Archdiocese and local residents. Its five mature trees, shaded benches, and small planter may appear modest, but to the community, Sister Mary Veronica Park in South Boston has long been a symbol of shared ownership and grassroots care.
Mayor Michelle Wu emphasized the importance of such spaces for Boston’s neighborhoods.
“Ensuring that our community spaces remain protected and accessible to all residents is a top priority,” Wu said. “This acquisition of Sister Mary Veronica Park reflects our dedication to preserving our city’s rich history and strengthening community-driven spaces across Boston.”
Price and Preservation
The City negotiated a purchase price of $200,166.67 with the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Boston. Funding came through the Community Preservation Act for the Boston Open Space Acquisition Fund.
This acquisition also fulfills a years-long effort by South Boston residents, who feared the site could face private development once it was listed for sale in 2023.
From Pocket Park to Permanent Protection
The history of Sister Mary Veronica Park in South Boston stretches back nearly 70 years. The land was originally owned by the City of Boston before being transferred to the Archdiocese in 1955. In 1968, the South Boston Resident Association stepped in, cleaning and improving the parcels to create a pocket park. Over time, it became a fixture of the neighborhood, nurtured by residents who added benches and plantings while ensuring it remained a welcoming green corner in an urban setting.
When the property hit the market in 2023, the future of the park was suddenly uncertain. Concerned neighbors formed the Save Sister Mary Veronica Park Committee, quickly mobilizing to advocate for its protection. Their petition, signed by over 2,000 South Boston residents, underscored just how vital the park had become to the local community.
Officials and Advocates React
City officials stressed that the preservation of Sister Mary Veronica Park in South Boston is not just about saving a green space, but about honoring decades of neighborhood advocacy.
“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,” said Cathy Baker-Eclipse, Interim Commissioner of Boston Parks and Recreation. “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.”
The South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation, which will hold the conservation restriction on the property, highlighted the long-term impact of this move.
“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,” said Donna Brown, Executive Director of South Boston NDC. “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.”
Looking Ahead
The acquisition of Sister Mary Veronica Park in South Boston underscores a broader citywide effort to preserve green spaces, especially in neighborhoods where development pressure has steadily increased. For residents, the deal offers peace of mind that the shaded benches and open gathering area they fought to protect will remain untouched by future development plans.
With the City’s commitment, Article 97 protections, and a conservation restriction in place, Sister Mary Veronica Park in South Boston is now secured as a permanent community resource.
The acquisition of Sister Mary Veronica Park in South Boston represents more than a real estate transaction—it is the preservation of history, community, and green space in a growing city. What began as a pocket park built through neighborhood effort in the 1960s has now been safeguarded as permanently protected public open space under Article 97 of the Massachusetts Constitution. With the City of Boston, the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation, and local residents united in this effort, Sister Mary Veronica Park in South Boston stands as a lasting example of how community voices and civic action can protect vital urban spaces for generations to come.
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