Tucked away in the northwest corner of Jamaica Pond is a small, inconspicuous island. Though officially nameless, the small spit of land has been referred to as "Shea's Island" by some, in reference to a James V. Shea of the Boston Parks Department. Shea was instrumental in getting the island permanently constructed, starting in 1915.

That's right: constructed. The island is a man-made structure,the building of which is itself an interesting history.

The earliest mentions of the island come from the earliest days of Jamaica Pond park⁠— first appearing on a map of the pond in 1880. During that time, Boston Parks officials created an artificial island by piling soil and vegetation on empty oil barrels, and floating the assemblage onto the pond. It was on the suggestion of Mrs. Mary Allen Sargent, wife of the first Arnold Arboretum director Charles Sprague Sargent, to James V. Shea that the island was made permanent.

In summer 1915, planks were nailed together, floated into the pond, and positioned as a base for the island. Over the next two winters, with the pond frozen over, rocks were moved over the base, and the spring thaw dropped them into place. Afterwards, soil and a half-dozen willow trees were ferried out to the brand-new landmass.

Over the years, the island has been subject to erosion; winters and winds have destroyed most of the original willows. Much like the man-made Emerald Necklace parks themselves, the island will need care and maintenance to return to its former glory.