Downer Avenue Park

Boston, Massachusetts

Downer Avenue Park is a quiet, neighborhood gem on the southwest side of Jones Hill, adjacent to the Hancock Street Steps. The new design includes a playground, basketball court, fitness equipment, dog park, multi-use ball court and possibilities for passive use. Much more than a facelift, the design has played a transformative role, making the neighborhood a more safe and pleasant place to live.

 Through engaging community discussions and detailed site-line analysis it became clear that a fundamental challenge of the pre-existing park was that the topography and retaining wall hid the park’s activities from the street, creating safety concerns. The resulting design solution was to regrade more than 75% of the park, remove the stone wall from much of the site and rebuild it in other locations. The new design adds additional access points and locates the most heavily used activities in the areas most visible from the street.

 An accessible, winding pathway connects the full length of the park framing multiple uses in two main areas. On one side, a sloped lawn area, populated with reclaimed stone seat walls, allows for passive and contemplative uses of the park. At the same time, the sloped topography and the stepping seat walls provide the opportunity for occasional movie nights and performances. Uphill the park becomes animated by multiple active uses spatially centered around an entry court.  This area is characterized by the vibrant colors of the play surfaces, structures, and furniture.  The uphill zone also includes an adult fitness area and popular dog play area.

LOCATION
Boston, MA

SIZE
24,000 sqf

YEAR
2020

SCOPE
Landscape Architecture