Copley Square Park was once a green space, but after a multi-year remodel, it was partially reopened with a new design that many Bostonians aren’t loving. The grass has been replaced with cement pathways meant to make gathering easier.

‘Brick and concrete’

Bostonians are voicing their displeasure over the new concrete jungle.”There’s … seems to be just kind of brick and concrete … something,” said Tedd York, who eats his lunch in the park.

“Before, it was a beautiful field, lots of space to gather and have picnics, and people are sad that we lost it,” said Rosa Bestmann, another neighbor who had her lunch in the plaza.

People have a slew of adjectives and analogies to describe the new space. One person called it “sterile and soulless.” He said Copley went from a park to a skatepark.

“When I visited as a kid, my Dad lived here, and we’d always sit in the plaza on the grass,” said Bestmann. “I’m happy that it’s back. I think that a community space is a space.”

Green spaces coming

The park has been closed since July 2023. Since then, it has been undergoing an $18.9 million overhaul. Mayor Michelle Wu announced a partial reopening of the park before the Boston Marathon, and now she is hearing the critiques.  

“This is the result of months and months of community conversations, and so I am excited for what this will mean – a more walkable, vibrant space for everyone,” said Wu.

Renderings of the design do show smaller lawn spaces in the back of the park. However, those are currently under construction. There is a yellow tulip feature at one end of the park that is drawing plenty of onlookers. Right now, it is the only green space in the park.

Beyond the aesthetics, the long completion time has some folks cracking Big Dig jokes. The expectation is that the city will continue its remodel through the spring by finishing the fountains and lawn areas. By then, it may show shades of its old self.

“There’s a tortoise and a hare (statue). I don’t know if that’s a joke because it took so long,” laughed York.

The Boston Fleet will have to wait to clinch a playoff spot.

The team had a chance to clinch a spot in the PWHL playoffs with a win on Monday against the Montréal Victoire, but fell in overtime on the road, 3-2. The Victoire scored two of their three goals on the power play.

Klára Peslarová made 33 saves on 36 shots faced for Boston, while Ann-Renée Desbiens made 27 stops on 29 shots faced for Montréal.

Laura Stacey scored the winning goal in the first overtime period for Montréal on even strength.

Neither team scored in the first period. Jennifer Gardiner scored the first goal of the game, assisted by Abby Boreen and Catherine Dubois in the second period to put Montréal ahead.

The Victoire got on the board again early in the second period when Catherine Dubois scored her fifth goal of the season, assisted by Maureen Murphy and Anna Wilgren to make it 2-0.

Hannah Brandt and Hannah Bilka  came through for Boston later in the period, each scoring a goal within a minute of each other to tie the game at 2-2 and force an overtime period, but Stacey’s goal made the difference in the extra period.

Boston will go again on Saturday, May 3 against the Minnesota Frost at home at 1 p.m.

ORLANDO — Jayson Tatum is battling through a painful bone bruise in his right wrist but the ailment has not slowed him down in two games since his return. The All-Star erupted for 37 points in Game 4 to help the Celtics take a commanding 3-1 lead over the Magic in their first round series.

Tatum has embraced Orlando’s physicality since his Game 2 absence, taking advantage of Magic’s desire to play him straight up by getting to the free throw line. He’s gone to the free throw line 26 times in the last two games, including a series-high 14 in Game 4.

“Just putting the pressure on,” Tatum said. “Playoffs presents a lot of different things. Each game is different, and I say it all the time. Sometimes you’ve just got to beat your matchup. Sometimes you’ve just got to be able to make a play for you or somebody else. And I think we did that pretty well tonight.”

It wasn’t the prettiest shooting night for Tatum, hitting just 10 of his 25 field goal attempts but his production was critical down the stretch as the visitors broke open a 91-91 tie with a 16-7 run to clinch the victory. Tatum scored nine of those points in the final four minutes despite taking a couple of hard hits to his wrists on Magic fouls.

“Year after year,” Tatum said. “Just getting older, having more experience. Understanding the moment being in these moments plenty of times. Enjoying being in those moments. Not necessarily like take over the game, but being in a position where to just make a play. I say it all the time.

“For myself or a teammate, you just want to be in a position where you’re involved and you’ve got a part of the action or whatever when the game’s on the line. It was 91-91 with four minutes left, a timeout, I was excited for that moment because I knew we was going to figure out and make plays. It’s not just me. Everybody made plays. So we showed just our competitive spirit. That was fun.”

Tatum also tried to downplay the severe bone bruise he’s been battling through to help put Boston back in control for the series.

“It’s whatever. I know what I’m dealing with,” Tatum said. “My team knows how serious is, but it’s that time of year. We’re all sacrificing our bodies and doing through things. It’s the playoffs. I doubt anybody feels 100%, but you step on that floor, do what you can, give it your all. It’s all about trying to figure out how to win.”

Tatum has also used his wrist injury to debut a new celebration the past two games, which he credited rookie Baylor Scheierman for after the Game 4 win.

“Shoutout to the rook, man, Baylor,” Tatum said. “He came up with the celebration when I hit a three. I think people are taking notice, and it’s a new thing for now.”

The Celtics will look to close out the series back in Boston on Tuesday night to avoid a trip back to Orlando. Tatum is confident he’ll be able to lean on his experience to earn some pivotal rest for Boston ahead of a likely second round showdown with the Knicks.

“Just understanding it’s my eighth year in the playoffs,” Tatum said. “I’ve played 115 some odd playoff games so I’ve been here before, I’ve been in these moments. Just stay composed and don’t get distracted by outside things or whatever. Just try to make the right read, focus on the next play, stay level-headed and, just do what you can, to help your team be in a position to get a win.”