Harvard Yard is one of the most iconic and well-known spaces in all of Cambridge, Massachusetts. It’s a beautiful spot, and it’s a popular spot for students to park their cars. But what many people don’t know is that Harvard Yard is also a popular spot for cyclists. If you’re a cyclist and you want to take advantage of the space, there are a few things you need to know. First and foremost, make sure to obey all traffic laws when cycling in Harvard Yard. Second, make sure to bike in the right direction—eastbound traffic goes northbound, and vice versa. And finally, be mindful of pedestrians when cycling in Harvard Yard—they have the right of way! These tips will help you cycle safely in one of the most iconic spaces in Cambridge.
What is the Harvard Yard?
Harvard Yard is a public space located on the Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The Yard is bounded by Brattle Street to the south, Winthrop Street to the west, Eliot Street to the north, and Pierce Avenue to the east. As of 2016, it had an estimated total area of 6.8 acres.
The Yard was established in 1636 as a pasture for the university’s livestock. It originally consisted of only a few acres and was used mainly for grazing purposes. In 1795, Dr. Joseph Pitts established a garden on the property that became known as Pitts’ Garden. The garden was later renamed Harvard Botanic Garden after George Francis Smith donated land for its development in 1876. In 1909, astronomer Percival Lowell purchased a plot of land near the garden and began constructing what would become his observatory, which he named Campanula House in honor of his wife Julia (Campanula) Lowell.
In 1914, architect Arthur Wahlbaum submitted plans for a new academic building on part of Lowell’s estate that would be known as Hollis Hall in memory of Edward Everett Hale. The building was eventually constructed between 1922 and 1924 and featured extensive use of terra cotta tiles salvaged from Roman ruins in Ravenna, Italy., which were imported through unwitting channels by art dealer Frederic Auguste Bartholdi who had hoped to sell them to America after World War I ended without success..
In 1935, the Harvard Corporation decided to create a larger space for recreational activities on the property and purchased an additional 2.5 acres from Lowell. The land was divided into three sections and renamed after members of the Corporation who contributed significantly to Harvard’s development: John F. Kennedy Park, George Washington Park, and James Russell Lowell Park.
In 1948, architect Robert A.M. Stern submitted plans for a new academic building on part of the Hollis Hall property that would be known as Quincy House in memory of John Quincy Adams. The building was eventually constructed between 1952 and 1954 and featured extensive use of terra cotta tiles salvaged from Roman ruins in Ravenna, Italy., which were imported through unwitting channels by art dealer Frederic Auguste Bartholdi who had hoped to sell them to America after World War I ended without success.
How to get to the Harvard Yard
Parking in Harvard Yard can be difficult, but there are a few options. The Yard is located on Brattle Street near the Kennedy School of Government. There are several pay lots around the Yard, and street parking is also available. If you are coming from I-93 or I-95, take exit 16A to Memorial Drive and follow it to Brattle Street. The Yard can also be reached via the Red Line subway at JFK station.
The Benefits of Parking in the Harvard Yard
The Harvard Yard is one of the most popular destinations on campus, and with good reason. The Yard offers plenty of parking, easy access to the Campus Core, and great views of the Boston skyline.
The benefits of parking in the Harvard Yard are plentiful. First and foremost, the Yard offers plenty of parking – there are more than 1,000 spaces available. This means that you’re guaranteed a spot near any of the attractions or services in the Yard. Second, parking is easy – there’s direct access to drives in both Eliot Street and Winthrop Street, so getting around is a breeze. Third, views from the Yard are simply stunning – you can see all of Boston from atop Observatory Hill. Finally, being part of Harvard makes it a truly special place – students, staff, and alumni alike love coming to the Yard because it has a unique atmosphere that’s hard to find elsewhere on campus.
Conclusion
Parking in Harvard Yard can be a hassle. But if you take the time to learn about some of the tips and tricks outlined in this article, it will be much easier for you to park your car there without any hassles. From knowing which hours parking is free on weekdays to finding out where meters are located, following these simple tips will make your life a lot easier when you need to park in Harvard Yard.