The Richard D. Parker Memorial Victory Gardens, usually called the “Fenway Victory Gardens” or the “Victory Gardens,” are located in the Fenway area of Boston, Massachusetts. We are as famous to gardeners as a certain neighboring park is to baseball fans – and just as historic.

The Fenway Victory Gardens represent the nation’s last remaining of the original victory gardens created nationwide during World War II. At that time, demands for food exports to the nation’s armed forces in Europe and the Pacific caused rationing and shortages for those back home in the States. In response, President Roosevelt called for Americans to grow more vegetables. The City of Boston established 49 areas (including the Boston Common and the Public Gardens!) as “victory gardens” for citizens to grow vegetables and herbs.

The gardens are named for Richard D. Parker, a member of the original garden organizing committee. Mr. Parker was instrumental both in the creation of the Fenway Garden Society, (FGS) and in the preservation of the gardens against various attempts to develop the Fens parkland for other purposes. Mr. Parker gardened until his death in 1975. Thanks to his efforts, the gardens are now an official Boston Historic Landmark.

Today, the gardens create a truly unique park for all to enjoy. Why not take a virtual stroll through them now?

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