Bussey Brook Elevated Boardwalk

The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University

Boston, Massachusetts

01_HistoricRender2

Practice Landscape is worked with leadership from the Arnold Arboretum to develop the idea, design, fundraising and implementation of the Bussey Brook Elevated Boardwalk. In collaboration with Horsley Witten Group, architect Kiel Moe, and SGH, the project creates connectivity with the adjacent neighborhoods and the elevated structure provides safe, sustainable transit for pedestrians along a steep, wet, largely inaccessible stretch of South St. that currently lacks sidewalks.

This project aims to improve the equity and accessibility to public open space that brings visitors into the living collections at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University.

Establishing a crucial ADA-accessible Greenlink connector for pedestrians and bicyclists, the boardwalk offers a remarkable opportunity to reaffirm Frederick Law Olmsted’s vision of democratic access to nature in Boston while improving accessibility for neighboring communities historically excluded from amenities and interaction with the Arboretum. Learn more about the project at the Arnold Arboretum and the The Roslindale Gateway Path Project to improve carbon-free transportation and green space equity for the city of Boston. 

Collaborators

Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University 

Kiel Moe Architect 

SGH 

Horsley Witten Group 

221110_PLArbBoardwalk_Social2

Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University 1927 (Source: Arbold Arboretum) 

200320_BridgeSection
PL_BBBoardwalk_Arnold_Current
PL_BBBoardwalk_Arnold_Proposed
20200319_ZoomPlan_Desaturated_Canopy_Downsize

.

COLLAGE_3
BoardwalkDiagram
04_GreenSpaceMapB
PLAA_BBEB_2022_ArchModel
PL_arnoldArb_CommunityMeeting2019
PLAA_BBEB_2022_SiteVisit_Outreach