Boston Piers Park is a 6.5-acre children’s playground that was built on Marginal Street along the East Boston riverfront in 1995. It answers the dense residential East Boston neighborhood’s need for public open space, and does so using play structures, and natural materials and forms to complement the waterfront.
The Park is owned and operated by the Massachusetts Port Authority, which sought to design a space that could address all adjacent neighborhood needs. The park reclaims an abandoned pier and provides direct pedestrian access to the waterfront. Two pavilions provide a place for people to enjoy great views of downtown across Boston’s inner harbor. The park also features a 600-foot promenade and paved trail system that weaves through the natural vegetation and landscaping of the park.
The granite seawall used in the park is the material that has guarded the contour of the structure since 1870. Along with the pedestrian walkways, there is also an amphitheater for public activities, a sailing center that provides direct access to Boston Harbor, an “outdoor fitness system” along the trails, and fencing for security.
The park’s success is in large part due to the fact that it was designed with significant participation from the community, and by designers that were sensitive to the public outreach process. Local residents affected wide-ranging decisions from the type of park furniture to the list of activities permitted at the park. The fact that citizen concerns were channeled into concrete proposals gave residents a sense of ownership over the park, which has contributed significantly to its success. Thanks to this level of involvement, Piers Park has programmed activity for all ages, places for public events, and a sense of security that creates a positive playing environment.
www.piersparksailing.org
www.bostonharborwalk.com
www.massport.com
www.boston.com/beyond_bigdig/cases/piers.htm