Visit the Thomas J. Butler Memorial Park in South Boston, part of Massport's Parks and Open Spaces

Photo Courtesy of Massport

The next time you are exploring the Boston Irish Heritage Trail and numerous Irish-American landmarks in Boston neighborhoods, check out the Thomas J. Butler Memorial Park in South Boston. It part of Massport’s parks and open spaces that offer year-round green spaces to local residents and visitors. 

The park opened in 2017 in memory of Massport’s longtime director of external affairs and lifelong South Boston resident, Tommy Butler, acclaimed as a longtime government official and beloved as a visionary community leader. Read about the opening ceremony.

Photo Courtesy of Massport

Located along 917-975 East First Street off of Farragut Road and minutes away from Castle Island, the 4.4-acre multi-use park contains a path for runners and walkers that is lined with trees and flowers, along with seating and lighting and bike rakes. The Thomas J. Butler Park is open from dawn to dusk and there are parking spaces nearby, and a bus stop.

Photo Courtesy of Massport

The park is also part of Massport’s Thomas J. Butler Freight Corridor, which was built to keep 400-500 container trucks off East First Street and portions of Summer Street in South Boston.

Butler worked for Massport for 25 years as its community relations director and worked closely with the communities affected by Logan International Airport. He was also an early advocate for expanding international tourism and helped build the city's cruise ship trade that has become an important component of the tourism industry.

Tommy Butler

In South Boston, Butler was a leader in his community, with a special interest in American and Boston Irish history. He helped organize the Revolutionary War activities around Evacuation Day each year, and also the St. Patrick's Day Parade. He was a member of the South Boston Irish-American Society, the Castle Island Association and the South Boston Boys and Girls Club. Read more about Tommy Butler.

Downtown Walking Map of Boston Irish Heritage Trail 

The Boston Irish Heritage Trail is celebrating its 30th anniversary as a premier look at 300+ years of Boston Irish history. The downtown walking trail goes from Rose Kennedy Greenway to Fenway Park, and the neighborhood sites feature notable landmarks to people and events, from Charlestown, East Boston, South Boston and Dorchester to Roxbury, Jamaica Plain and Brighton.

Read about the Boston Irish Tourism Association plans of expanding the Irish Heritage Trail over the next two years by adding more sites to the Boston trail as well as across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.