Quinobequin Park (Fall 2019)

A project created for Landscape Architecture I (Fall 2019) at the Graduate School of Design, Harvard University. This project proposed a new design for Christian Herter Park, a 55-acre public park located in Allston, Massachusetts. The design imagines Christian Herter Park as Quinobequin Park. Quinobequin is the Massachusetts’ name for the Charles River and means “meandering.” Inspired by an existing island designed by Shurcliff & Merrill, the design proposes a series of channels through the park that create new, multiple islands. The channels diversify the movement of the river as well as create new spaces of aquatic habitat for wildlife. The removed soil is used to build raised islands on the land, which are densely planted with hardy, successional species and offer even more varieties of habitat. Six hardscape platforms provide space for parking, the Northeastern boathouse, and the Community Kayaking buildings. Each platform provides access to the water, either through ramps or a series of wide steps. A paved pedestrian/bike path following Soldier’s Field Road gives efficient access throughout the park. Foot bridges and a gravel path wind through the edge of the park and give visitors access to the shoreline as well as a way to experience the diverse habitats.