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McLaughlin Playground Historic Orchard and Urban Wild
This park and playground was once a farm owned by the Parker family in the 1700’s. Peter Parker married Sarah Ruggles whose family owned large areas of land including most of what became known as Parker Hill (later renamed Mission Hill). His life ended when a barrel of his own cider fell on him. The orchard continued for some time thereafter, but gradually pieces of the land were sold and developed. Boston’s reservoir was once located at the top of the hill. Many of the older apple trees along Fisher Ave. and in an undeveloped area of the playground are probably descendents of the Parker family’s original trees.
In 1992, EarthWorks planted a small nut tree orchard and then in 1998-1999 planted over 50 apple, pear, plum, apricot, persimmon, hazelnut, chestnut and juneberry trees. Of these, 30 are varieties of apple and pear that were grown in Boston in the 1700’s or early 1800’s.
In 1999, EarthWorks piloted its Urban Wilds Restoration Program here by partnering with the Boston Parks and Recreation Dept. and neighbors to remove invasive exotic species such as Norway maple, Japanese knotweed, oriental bittersweet, and tree-of-heaven and replace them with native trees and shrubs. Activities in 1999 also included the development of the Butterfly Garden at the entrance to the Historic Orchard atop the Bucknam St. Steps.
Location: Fisher Ave. between
Bucknam St. and Parker St.
Plants: Many apples, pears, cherries, plums, raspberries,
mulberries, currants, hazelnuts, and chestnuts.
Accessibility: Plants are all accessible, but some
areas have poison ivy.
