The Fenway Purist: The Ramps of Fenway

Let’s look at the somewhat obscure topic of ramps.

Fans at Fenway Park walk on many sloped surfaces, but for the purposes of this article, ramps are defined as passageways to the main seating areas from beneath.

There once were two long, wide PRIMARY RAMPS from street level to the top of the grandstand (now called Level 2). These were the two primary ways to access the upper grandstand, and in years past were absolutely packed with fans when games ended. Fans walked down about 10 abreast.

Third base primary ramp

This ramp, behind third base, is still in use, from near Gate A to the walkway behind Section 26. It has two turns (roughly 90 and 180 degrees). Its size has been reduced by the insertion of two stairways, one (2010) from Gate A to Sections 26-27, and one (2008) from Sections 26-27 up to the Dell Technologies and Pavilion levels (Levels 3 and 4). These stairways make circulation much more efficient, but the ramp is still packed when fans leave just after games.

As you use this ramp, you can see windows of Red Sox offices, windows of a conference room, windows made of glass blocks, and two doors connecting the public/private spaces. There is also a beer concession stand where the ramp turns halfway up.

Lower part of third base ramp.

Upper part of third base ramp with conference room above.

A peek through a glass block window.

Home plate primary ramp

Part of this ramp exists, but most of it is obscured by alterations. Only the lowest ten feet is still an accessible, unaltered ramp. It begins along Yawkey Way midway between the Gate A and Gate D corners, near the El Tiante concession stand. The ramp continued straight ahead, above Gate D, then turned (to the left when ascending) at the corner of the original brick walls and reached the walkway behind Section 18-19.

From further inside the park near the lower end, you can clearly see the ramp and its original red-painted fence. The new (2010) restrooms and stairs/passageway follows the ramp, but the walkway was leveled between small groups of steps so it is not an actual ramp anymore. You can see the upper path of this ramp when standing inside Gate D and looking upward. Beyond the men’s room, a section of ramp was converted to a storage and mechanical equipment room, which is accessed through the men’s room. The uppermost part of the ramp was demolished and replaced by the large “Home Plate Deck” concession area.

Lower part of home plate ramp with original red fence.

Upper part of home plate ramp passing over Gate D.

New Gate D ramp

This large structure along with the bank of three main elevators was installed in 1983, and replaced the old home plate ramp. Its back-and-forth format through all five levels is similar to ramps at many modern ballparks. It is functional and necessary, though few fans take the time to make the long journey up or down. Nearby stairs take a fraction of the time, and fans who can’t climb stairs can take the elevators.

The structure was built in the players’ parking lot area, greatly reducing the space for cars.

Grandstand Section 12 ramp

This narrow ramp was oddly situated, reaching Grandstand Section 12 all the way from ground level near the First Aid station. Presumably it was installed to serve Sections 11, 12, and 13 and relieve crowding at the loge box ramp below 12-13.

Parts of the ramp can still be seen when standing underneath Section 12, including its red railing. The lower part of it was demolished and that space is now used as a “break room” and storage room for the groundskeeping crew. When rain is expected, that room can be full of infield surfacing material that the crew adds to the field during a rainy game.

Just a part of the old Section 12 ramp is now visible.

Short lower ramps

The lower areas of stands are served by 18 short ramps (and also two stairways in the bleachers). The left field grandstand has three, the infield grandstand has five, the right field grandstand has seven, and the bleachers have three (not counting the new 1991 ramp in the alleyway near the visitors’ bullpen).

Close examination of these ramps shows, in some cases, that their walking surfaces have changed over the years, for two reasons. First, the walkway between the field boxes and loge boxes has shifted away from the field. That allows more seats to be sold at higher prices. Second, rules for accessibility have dictated that ramps cannot be too steep. The consequences of these two forces are that ramps are higher and extend further back underneath the stands. In 1991, ramp serving Grandstand Section 32 was made much longer (doubling back on itself) and more gentle so that wheelchairs can easily travel to the accessible area in front of that section.