PlanPhilly: Planning Philadelphia's Future

Boston

South Boston Marine Park South Boston Marine Park is a new project designed and developed by the Massachusetts Port Authority (“MassPort”) on land it owns along the South Boston waterfront.  The delta-shaped park will be built on two parcels totaling less than 1.5 acres flanked on each side by tall office and hotel buildings.  Riverside restaurants are also planned with a great harbor view, and there will be public areas designed for sitting and gathering. The plan is to create a new public destination along the waterfront at the center of this new commercial and hotel complex. 

The park space became available after the straightening of D Street in South Boston, which will provide the neighborhood with direct auto access to the waterfront.  Tree canopies will provide shade and definition to the park’s edges, and a lawn graces the Northern Avenue end of the park that slopes up to increase views of the harbor.  The lawn centerpiece surrounded by trees present the public with a range of open space options.  The sidewalk along Northern Avenue is wide enough to accommodate a stage for public events, and the park contains a food stand with shaded seating area for patrons.

Marine Park, along with Piers Park, shows the value of the Port Authority, a company that has a vision along with power and financial resources.  Open space near a dense complex is important, and the addition of food services inside the Park makes it a popular destination.  The mix of natural element with man-made improvement — such as the lawn built to intentionally slope, and the trees planted to line the park edges — provide examples of clever and interesting design methods.  MassPort also incorporated authentically Boston design elements to identify it as a unique waterfront space, such as the “clam-shack.”

www.massport.com

www.bostonharborwalk.com

www.cityofboston.gov/parks/openspaces/main.asp

www.boston.com/beyond_bigdig/cases/south_boston.htm