Protecting the Rings Fountain

Tomorrow, the Conservancy will be placing recycled sea wall stones around the Rings Fountain in the Wharf District Parks as a barrier to prevent the type of fountain damage experienced last winter, which occurred before the Conservancy began maintaining the Greenway. These large historic hand-cut stones are uniform in size and will be placed in a circular pattern. They will be removed in the spring as part of the Conservancy’s preparation for the summer season.

These cut granite stones originally defined a sea wall or wharf during Boston’s maritime history. They were buried during one of Boston’s landfill projects and were discovered during the Central Artery/Tunnel Project. They are similar to the recycled sea wall stones that line the eastern border of the Mothers’ Walk.

We are pleased to bring back a piece of Boston’s history to the Greenway, part of today’s city.

Children enjoying the Rings Fountain in summer 2009
Children enjoying the Rings Fountain in summer 2009.
A family sits on the sea wall along the Mothers Walk.
A family sits on the sea wall along the Mothers' Walk. Similar stones will be placed around the Rings Fountain to protect it from damage during the winter months.