Washington Square

Washington Square is an affluent, vibrant and welcoming neighborhood. It's well-serviced by public transportation, particularly the C branch of the MBTA Green Line, and 65 bus, which makes it a convenient spot for residents who don’t own a car or who work in Boston or the Longwood Medical area.

With its blend of history, modernity, and community spirit, the Square is a true gem in Brookline. Its accessibility (close to Boston and Brookline High School), combined with its offerings in dining, education, and recreation, make it a highly-sought-after destination to live and own real estate in.

One of the most active neighborhoods in Brookline, Washington Square is less crowded than Coolidge Corner and the foot-traffic is on par with that of Brookline Village. As Brookline continues to evolve, Washington Square remains a cherished cornerstone, a place where past and present harmoniously intertwine.

Building Types

The architectural landscape of Washington Square is eclectic. Historic brownstones stand proudly beside modern apartment complexes and venerable single family homes. The tree-lined streets and well-maintained sidewalks add to the neighborhood's charm.

Parks and Recreation

Washington Square is blessed with green spaces that provide respite from urban life. Nearby, one can find:

• Griggs Park: A peaceful oasis, perfect for reading, picnics, or just soaking in nature under the stunning weeping willow trees. Griggs also serves as an off-leash park for dogs until 1 PM daily.
• Waldstein Playground (a.k.a. Dean Park): The largest park in Washington Square offers eight tennis courts with evening lights; a basketball court with plexiglass backboards, a fun waterpark for toddlers, and a baseball field for Little Leaguers that doubles as a soccer field for Viking Sports. Waldstein also serves as an off-leash park for dogs until 9 AM daily. During warm-weather months this is a popular spot for sunbathers on the hill and people that like to play frisbee and volleyball.
• Schick Park: This relatively unknown park is a hidden gem located on Addington Road and offers play structures, a small field and basketball court. It also serves as an off-leash dog park until 9 AM daily.

Map of Washington Square Area

Paths

A unique characteristic of Washington Square is the many town-maintained paths which serve to significantly reduce the distance between key points. The list of paths in Washington Square includes:

• Addington Path: 65 stairs connect the top of Addington Road (Schick Park) to the intersection of Colbourne Crescent, Winthrop Road and bottom of Addington.
• Beaconsfield Path: Located at the MBTA D-Line’s Beaconsfield Road stop, this flat path connects the T-Station with Clark Road near the intersection of Cotswold Road.
• Claflin Path: On Claflin Road, it connects Addington Road with Claflin Road and is popular for people that park in the alley between the two streets.
• Clinton Path: Behind the tennis courts at Waldstein Park, it connects Clinton Road and Clinton Path and goes under the train tracks.
• Colbourne Path: Connects Addington Road to Colbourne Crescent and is a few steps from Rawson Road and Rawson Path.
• Gardner Path: Connecting Washington Street with Hancock Road near the intersection of Gardner Road, Winthrop Road and Welland Road, this 72-stair path leads to Washington Street a few yards from Park Street.
• Marion Path: Joins Marion Street with Griggs Road and the entrance to Griggs Park, cutting off a substantial amount of time for those in Corey Hill and Coolidge Corner that wish to visit this park oasis.
• Mason Path: There is a pedestrian crosswalk across Beacon Street at Lancaster Terrace, leading to the Fairbanks T stop. In this way, Mason Path gives convenient access to Beacon Street and the T for some Corey Hill residents.
• Rawson Path: This L-shape path is popular with high school students that live on Addington Road, Colbourne Crescent and Rawson Road, and connects to Gardner Road trimming meaningful time on the walk to BHS.
• Summit Path: Looking down from the top, Summit Path walkers descend the steep southern slope of Corey Hill. Accentuated by the double iron handrails following every twist and turn, Summit Path cuts through York Terrace and provides a steep but quick passage down to Lancaster Terrace, coming out alongside the towering 1550 Beacon Street on the North side of Beacon a few yards from Westbourne Terrace. This is a stair-intensive walkway (89 from Beacon to Lancaster, another 106 from Lancaster to York, and 25 more from York to Summit).
• University Path: At the foot of University Road (near Gardner Road), this path joins University Road with the part of Winthrop Road closest to Gardner and Welland Road.
• Winthrop Path: No path has more stairs (147) than Winthrop Path. The bottom of the path starts on Washington Street at a 65 Bus Stop and the foot of Fairbanks Street. The first set of stairs leads to the middle of University Road. Across University is the second set of stairs which leads to Winthrop Road. This path is heavily trafficked because just up Fairbanks Street (a very short street) is an MBTA C-Line Stop. It’s a convenient shortcut and a great workout for those that like to climb stairs!

Restaurants and Eateries

The culinary scene in Washington Square is diverse and delightful. Without question, the best restaurants in Brookline are in Washington Square. Some of the popular dining spots include:

• Barcelona Wine Bar: Known for its tapas and extensive wine list.
• The Publick House: A favorite for beer enthusiasts, offering a vast selection of craft beers.
• Washington Square Tavern: Famous for its owner Gerry Finnigan, who welcomes everyone with open-arms and is always happy to make a great wine recommendation.
• The Abbey: A popular bistro serving classic American cuisine that is open for lunch (one of the few in the neighborhood open for lunch) and dinner until 2 AM.
• Burro Bar: A favorite of locals that enjoy Mexican cuisine and Tequila.
• Golden Temple: The oldest restaurant in Washington Square. This classic Cantonese style, gourmet Chinese Restaurant has been serving up classic favorites for more than 50 years and is the only place in the area that offers late-night dancing.
• Stoked Wood Fired Pizza Co.: This happening spot is a favorite of families with children and serves up traditional and vegan pizza, and more!

Coffee Shops

Washington Square is not just a hub for fine dining but also a haven for coffee enthusiasts. The coffee scene in the Square is as vibrant as its community. There are a number of quaint coffee shops that offer a cozy atmosphere, perfect for a quiet read or catch-up sessions with friends.

• Athan's Bakery: The oldest coffee shop in Washington Square, Athan’s is where locals meet to discuss community issues, and eat decadent pastries. Arrive early and try one of their croissants fresh out of the oven.
• Cafe Fixe: A favorite, where the aroma of freshly brewed coffee draws in both locals and visitors. If you like caffeine, this is your spot!
• Caffé Nero: The newest of the coffee shops in the Square, Caffè Nero is a pretty place often filled with a diverse laptop crowd.

Schools

• Driscoll School: The vicinity is home to the newly constructed K-8 elementary school serving some 456 students with capacity for a lot more.
• Brookline High School: The town’s only school for 9th-12th graders is situated a short distance from the center of Washington Square.
• Russian School of Mathematics: Popular among highly-motivated students that love numbers, this school fosters a love of math for children from Kindergarten-12th grade and offers after school and weekend classes.

Shopping and Other Staples

Beyond dining and parks, Washington Square boasts a variety of salons, and shops catering to diverse needs. Whether you're looking for a pair of glasses, a new hairstyle, or a bottle of wine, the Square has something for everyone.

• Gimbels Liquors: The bright, yellow Gimbels sign where your favorite spirits are sold, is an iconic fixture of Washington Square.