Photos: Boston Marathon Memorial at Copley Square

Large message boards have been placed at Copley Square to honor the bombing victims.

With Boylston Street up and running as of 3 a.m. this morning, a section of Copley Square, only feet away from the now fading finish line, has become a living memorial to honor the tragedy that rocked Boston last week. As directed by Mayor Menino in his “five-phase plan” for the reopening of Boylston Street, large message boards have been placed through out the area, opening up a space in the heart of Boston for visitors to grieve. Though it’s only been open to the public for half a day, the area is already overflowing with flowers, flags, candles, sneakers, and collective sentiments of remembrance and love in the form of posters and written messages.

Visitors to the memorial leave their well-wishes for Boston. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

Visitors to the memorial leave their well-wishes for Boston. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

A memorial for the three bombing victims, Krystle, Lu, and Martin, stands in the middle of the square. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

A memorial for the three bombing victims, Krystle, Lu, and Martin, stands in the middle of the square. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

 

Hundreds of sneakers from fellow marathoners hang on the barricades surrounding the memorial. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

Hundreds of sneakers from fellow marathoners hang on the barricades surrounding the memorial. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

 

Stuffed animals lined up to honor and remember victims. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

Stuffed animals lined up to honor and remember victims. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

 

A growing number of Boston hats continue to be laid out as visitors come and go. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

A growing number of Boston hats continue to be laid out as visitors come and go. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

DSC_0220

A visitor leaves her message on the boards provided by the city of Boston. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

DSC_0257

Dozens of candles in memory of those who were lose and those who were injured. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

One of the three message boards at Copley Square. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

One of the three message boards at Copley Square. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

A visitor pays his respect this afternoon. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya

A visitor pays his respect this afternoon. Photo by Regina Mogilevskaya