Landscape Architect & Specifier News

APR 2017

LASN is a photographically oriented, professional journal featuring topics of concern and state-of-the-art projects designed or influenced by registered Landscape Architects.

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Top, Left: A new secondary entry, at the end of the pedestrian ramp over the highway, opens the park up to the neighborhood with a welcoming mural by artist Joe Barillaro. New whimsical murals on the bridge abutments were designed to complement the park's colors and themes. Top, Right: The strong diagonal connection through the park is reinforced by the colored waves of pervious pavers and the curving concrete seatwalls lit by linear LED lights. Above: Visible from the main entrance, custom musical elements, the SmartPlay Motion structure and custom PlayBooster / NetPlex structure invite children up to play. 70 Landscape Architect and Specifier News The park's emphasis on the arts continues with custom outdoor chalkboards for kids to create their own art, and outdoor musical instruments from Freenotes Harmony Park. One particularly unique addition is the custom "musical fence," designed by CBA in collaboration with the fabricator. This element helps separate a gathering nook from the main walkway. Walking from one end to the other, park visitors can strike the chimes with the built-in mallet that rides on a custom rail to play – in a reference to the site's motif of stars and lighting – "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." (The melody is additionally appropriate to a children's playground because it's shared by other classic children's songs – the "Alphabet Song" and "Baa Baa Black Sheep.") Throughout the design process, CBA's team kept an open dialogue with the community, from presentations at public meetings to online surveys that helped determine the elements to include and prioritize. The success of the park in addressing the neighbors' concerns based on the site's history, and responding to the community's ideas for what the park could be, is evident in the excited welcome the new playground has received. The former disjointed, divided space with troublesome nooks and crannies has been transformed into a unified, softly glowing, welcoming space that flows, connects, and inspires creativity and play. Project Team & Credits Landscape Architects: CBA Landscape Architects LLC Principal-in-Charge / Project Manager: D.J. Chagnon, ASLA CPSI Project Staff: Aaron Kraemer and Jessica Choi Client: City of Somerville, Office of Strategic Planning & Community Development – Joe Curtatone, Mayor; Arn Franzen, Director of Parks & Open Space Muralist: Joe Barillaro, Somerville, Mass. Photography: Anthony Crisafulli Photography, Boston (except as noted) General Contractor: NELM Corp., Rockland, Mass. Electrical Contractor: Mass Bay Electrical Corp., East Boston, Mass. Ornamental Metalwork: WovenSteel Distinctive Iron Works, East Boston, Mass. Musical Fence Fabrication: Custom Fabrication, Inc., Harpursville, N.Y.

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