CBA Landscape Architects LLC
Clara Batchelor & Associates Landscape Architecture, CBA Landscape Architects, Landscape Design, Cambridge Massachusetts, Residential Landscape Design, Commercial Landscape Architecture, Park and Playground Landscape Design
"The Dad Who Visited 350 Local Parks says These 7 Will Thrill Your Kids" is the title of a recent Boston.com that mentions Paris Street Playground in East Boston as one of those 7 parks.
CBA designed the renovation of Paris Street Playground in East Boston in 2015.
A Saturday morning in November at Chelmsford Dog Park
CBA has had the opportunity to work on the design of several dog parks in the last year, and Preston Holleman from our office has been the project manager for both the Mystic Overlook Dog Park in Chelsea and the Bellingham Dog Park. While the parks' contexts are very different (urban and densely populated versus suburban and bordering conservation land), a standout function of each space will be as a point of gathering for local residents. During the research phase of these projects, Preston visited existing dog parks in Somerville, Chelmsford, Cambridge, and Poulsbo, WA to talk to users of the the spaces to collect data about their use of the park and analyze the success of fencing, surface, and edging materials.
During these conversations, Preston noted that dog ownership and care are based on routine. The same group of community members will consistently use a dog park at similar times, and continued interactions with the same people provides opportunities for relationships to evolve. Similar to other municipal parks, dog parks will often develop a formal community group that monitors and contributes additional effort to care for the dog park. For example, Preston learned that in some dog parks, owners leave toys and water bowls at the site for other dogs to play with and share.
The continuous need for a dog to exercise and socialize draws out group members more often and consistently than a park that is used for passive recreation. In some cases, dog park community groups may even be more active than those formed around traditional parks. Dog park advocacy is particularly strong in dense urban areas where open space is at a premium - CBA frequently interacts with dog owners during the public input process for many of our traditional park projects.
Studies have shown that the more a resident knows their neighbors, the more invested they are in their community. Neighborhoods with a strong social fabric see reductions in crime, vandalism, and neglect as well as increases in happiness, social activism, community involvement and quality of life. Recurring interactions such as those that happen at neighborhood dog parks strengthens local social networks. Preston's conversations with community members at each park had a common theme: people get know their neighbors that have dogs.
How do we tighten the mesh of a neighborhood's social fabric? The design of dog parks is a small part of local networks that can have an enormous impact. Seating areas in these parks facilitate human interaction. Obstacles for agility training and games for dogs provide the opportunity for dog owners to converse and learn from each other. In recognizing the social benefits of dog parks, we as designers have an opportunity to create environments that foster and facilitate the development of human connections.
Early morning at Nunziato Field Dog Park in Somerville, MA
Working with Saltonstall Architects, CBA designed this landscape for a residence in Marion, MA, that sits on the Sippican Neck peninsula. One of our favorite parts of the project was the outdoor living area, which includes a raised bluestone patio and a stone outdoor fireplace, all situated to take advantage of the fantastic harbor views. Pick up a copy of the South Coast Almanac to read more!
CBA has had a fantastic time with the placemaking process for the 289 Derby Street Park project in Salem, MA! CBA has been busy collaborating with the Salem Public Space Project and Creative Salem to bring this great design together. This Wednesday is the final event "Party at 289 Derby", from 5-8 at the 289 Derby Street site. This event will be the reveal of the final design for the space, as well as several fun community pop-ups and activities. See the link below:
https://www.creativesalem.com/event/party-at-289-derby-final-event/
View a video Creative Salem put together documenting the placemaking process here:
Here at CBA we're looking forward to our kick off community design event this Wednesday 5/24 at 289 Derby Street in Salem, MA! The first of five meetings, this event will be centered around dance: salsa, Scottish, and modern dance groups will all be present. The Salem Public Space Project has been working hard all week on painted panels and signage to inform the community about the meetings and to get everyone thinking about their priorities for their new public space. CreativeSalem put together the website below and is spearheading photography and social media for the project. CBA is excited to work with these great Salem-based groups to engage the Salem community in such a robust public feedback process!
Landscape Architect and Specifier News has featured Cremin Playground in Somerville in the April 2017 Lighting issue. CBA designed the renovation of this playground, which incorporates unique lighting to highlight the imaginative play structures, the playfully curved seatwalls, and murals painted on existing bridge supports, commissioned by a local mural artist. The construction of this park was finished in 2016.
Read the full article here: http://landscapearchitect.epubxp.com/i/807417-apr-2017/63