Playground at the Boston Nature Center

On July 9, 2018July 11, 2018 By Alice WebbIn Nature Preserves, Plants, Playgrounds2 Comments

The “Nature Nook” is a delightful natural play space on the grounds of the Boston Nature Center & Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Mattapan neighborhood of the city. In about eight years since the playground’s construction, the vegetation has grown nicely to form a cozy play space consisting of several “rooms” of activity areas. The playground includes all the important elements of nature-based play: water, sand/dirt, wood, plants, rocks, and hills. Additional features include a stage with seating, planters for gardening, music and art spaces, a building construction area, a gathering (seating) space, and a boardwalk.

Pergola with vines at the playground entrance

Water pump and stone stream bed, with adjacent sand play area

Children exploring the woods

Musical play, grass hill, and stage with seating

Building construction area, including a permanent wooden frame that children can lean sticks against to form forts and other structures

Boardwalk through the woods

Climbing log

Bridge over the stream bed; near the sand play, dirt play, gardening, and art areas

Photos by Alice Webb
Project Design by StudioMLA Architects, Brookline, MA

Freeway Park, Seattle

On February 1, 2018 By Alice WebbIn Historic Preservation, Parks2 Comments

I had the opportunity to visit Jim Ellis Freeway Park in downtown Seattle last June – an iconic public space designed by landscape architects Lawrence Halprin & Angela Danadjieva. It was the first park built over a freeway, and was conceived as a means of re-connecting neighborhoods that were severed from the downtown when Interstate 5 was built. The original section of the park was opened on July 4, 1976 – the nation’s bicentennial.

The park’s structures were designed in the brutalist style that was in vogue at the time, including board-formed concrete walls, planters, and fountain elements. Also, Halprin envisioned the character of this space as “freeway vernacular” (hence the emphasis on concrete), while representing the region’s mountain ranges with the various heights and shapes of the fountain structures. Waterfalls were a large part of the fountains during the early years of the park, and effectively masked the noise from vehicular traffic on the freeway below. However, due to maintenance and safety concerns, some of the fountains were shut off in more recent years. When I visited, no water was running, and I don’t know whether the fountains are turned on at all during the summer.

Plantings throughout the park were also designed to help mask freeway noise and to reduce vehicular pollution. The plant communities represent those typically found in the natural areas of the nearby mountains, and include many mature trees and broadleaf evergreen shrubs.

Urban parks built in this style in the decades following World War II have often suffered from neglect in recent years, but this space seems to be relatively well-maintained and appreciated, at least for now. I hope the interest and support for Freeway Park will persist into the future.

Main fountain structure in Freeway Park

Typical zig-zag walkway with seating

One of several park entrances

Smaller fountain structure next to one of the park’s plazas

Typical seating design

Main fountain structure, sans water

Photos by Alice Webb

Red Butte Garden

On February 16, 2016November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Gardens, Plants2 Comments

I like to post photos of warmer seasons while we’re in the depths of winter, to remind us that spring is not very far ahead. Here are a few scenes from a lovely botanical garden on the edge of Salt Lake City, Utah, which I visited last June.

Allium and falling water

Four Seasons garden

Herb garden

Fragrance garden

A roof garden with a view

Photos by Alice Webb

An Oasis in the Inner City

On October 12, 2015November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn PlaygroundsLeave a comment

Kids from impoverished sections of my city don’t often get to play in natural settings, since they typically live in apartment houses and buildings with little to no yard space. That has recently changed for some lucky preschoolers at the Webster Square Day Care Center here in Worcester, Massachusetts.

The center, which operates out of the lower level of a church, wanted to update their playground, which then consisted of scattered equipment within a sand surface. Originally their goal was to simply change the surfacing to a safer material that would be acceptable under current state requirements for day care centers. However, I convinced them to take the renovation a step further and add some nature-based features for a more enriching play experience.

My firm developed plans for this playground, and the day care center received several grants which funded the improvements over a period of a couple years. Since the budget was fairly limited, we retained the existing play equipment, keeping the larger pieces in their pre-existing locations and moving the smaller items. Plants, rocks, stepping stones, logs, water and sand play tables, musical chimes, and a vegetable garden were added to the space.

Although the playground is used exclusively by the day care center during the weekdays, it is open in the evenings and on weekends for use by neighborhood children. The kids get a lot of enjoyment out of this space, and I’m told that the natural features are particularly popular. A few “before” and “after” photos are included below to illustrate the improvements.

BEFORE: A couple of play panels, sand surfacing, weeds, and an ugly fence (owned by the neighbors) were all that existed on the west side of the playground. The wooded area behind the play area is on adjacent property.

AFTER: Relocated play house, plants (including shrubs which will grow to hide the fence), stepping logs, & chimes. The drums are portable, stored in a nearby shed.

BEFORE: West end of the playground

AFTER: Lots of enjoyment from a few simple features

BEFORE: East end of the playground

AFTER: Rocks and plants create a space for imaginative play.

BEFORE: Central section of playground

AFTER: Existing play equipment was retained, engineered wood fiber safety surfacing was installed, and a sand table was added. An at-grade sand play area is situated behind the table.

BEFORE: Unused, weedy area west of the existing shed

AFTER: A raised vegetable garden for the children to learn about growing food

Photos by Alice Webb and the Webster Square Day Care Center staff

An “Urban Glade” in Miami Beach

On May 29, 2014November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Commercial Sites, Gardens, Plants, PlazasLeave a comment

The Lincoln Road pedestrian mall in Miami Beach includes a relatively new addition: a block of water gardens that evoke Florida’s Everglades. The site was designed by the landscape architecture firm of Raymond Jungles, Inc., and construction was completed in 2010. The surfaces of the water gardens are raised above the surrounding pavement, and include many native plants such as Bald Cypress, Red Mangrove, and Pond Apple. The biomorphic shapes of the gardens and seats are juxtaposed with the bold linear pattern of the surrounding pavement, creating an interesting combination of urban and natural themes.

The gardens include a variety of plants that thrive in or near water, with an emphasis on native vegetation.

Islands in the water gardens – these ones include large Bald Cypress trees. I’m guessing that the surrounding water somehow infiltrates the soil in the islands from below.

A “dry” garden with Live Oak trees

The gardens are raised above the surrounding pavement – some more than others.

Mosaic surfacing forms bold stripes in the pavement.

Water flows over this pond edge into a drain for recirculation.

Photos by Alice Webb

Think Spring (and Summer)

On February 7, 2014November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Plants2 Comments

This is the time of year (in New England, as least) that many of us are really longing for warmer weather, tired of shoveling snow and otherwise being secluded indoors. The following images (from my garden in spring and summer) should provide some welcome relief from the bleakness of winter:

Barren Strawberry

Chives in Bloom

Cranesbills (True Geraniums)

Crocus

Boneset with Fritillary Butterfly

Goat’s Beard with Hostas

Japanese Iris

Lace-cap Hydrangea

New Growth on Variegated Andromeda

Red Velvet Enkianthus with Red Admiral Butterfly

Variegated Solomon’s Seal

Violets in the Lawn

Photos by Alice Webb

Portland Japanese Garden

On March 13, 2013November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Gardens, Plants1 Comment

In Portland, Oregon, there is a lovely 5.5-acre Japanese garden situated in a hilly area west of the city center, within Washington Park. It is considered one of the most authentic Japanese gardens outside of Japan. I visited this serene setting in May a couple of years ago, and would like to share some of my photos.

Photos by Alice Webb

Plants for all Seasons

On February 6, 2013November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Gardens, PlantsLeave a comment

After deciduous trees have shed their leaves in cold climates, the landscape need not be a boring and drab scene. There are a number of plants that display ornamental characteristics during the chillier months of the year, sporting colorful and interesting bark, stems, fruits, and seeds. Below are a few examples that should brighten your day!

A stunning display of Bloodtwig Dogwoods

Crabapple fruit against a backdrop of fallen Ginkgo leaves

Hydrangea seed heads add visual interest to the winter landscape.

The bark of this River Birch appears to glow in the sun.

Although ornamental grasses die back in winter, leaving their flower stems and foliage in place until spring adds color and texture to winter landscapes.

Brightly-colored Weeping Willow branches enhance a snowy park scene.

Photos by Alice Webb

Rooftop Retreat: A Hospital’s Healing Garden

On November 29, 2012November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Gardens, Plants, Therapeutic Gardens3 Comments

The Olson Family Garden at St. Louis Children’s Hospital

In recent years, outdoor garden spaces at hospitals have become more common, and are often included with the construction of new health care facilities. They are usually referred to as therapeutic or healing gardens. Studies have shown that access to nature in hospital settings can reduce pain and relieve stress, which in turn enhances the immune system and speeds healing. Patients aren’t the only ones to benefit; their families and heath care staff can attain relaxation in these spaces as well.

In October I had the pleasure of visiting the Olson Family Garden at St. Louis Children’s Hospital (in St. Louis, Missouri). The staff horticultural therapist kindly gave me a tour of this delightful space. Built in the late 1990s, this 8,000-square-foot rooftop garden is dominated by a lush array of greenery, mostly in raised planters, and also seasonally in movable pots. An abundance of plant materials is important in any type of outdoor healing setting. This space also includes winding paths; stepping stones through a shallow pool; fountains; interesting and fanciful art pieces; a goldfish pond; various resting spots; movable furniture; and telescopes for viewing a large park near the hospital grounds. Furthermore, the garden is lit for nighttime access and viewing.

This garden isn’t just for passive enjoyment, however. Horticultural therapy sessions are facilitated in this space, where patients engage in gardening and associated activities. These sessions have many social, psychological, physical, and cognitive benefits. In addition, programs involving crafts, puppet shows, music, and storytelling brighten the spirits of the children.

This beautiful scene in the garden is in springtime, viewed from the entrance. A rolling sphere fountain can be seen in the foreground. Blooming Redbud trees are situated in front of a circle of columns topped with translucent leaf-shaped panels, symbolizing nature.

This miniature garden appeals to all ages.

Stepping stones cross a wading pool…

…and continue between two raised planters.

The garden’s goldfish pond

A restful nook with playful windows overlooking Forest Park

A custom-made planter with kid- and adult- level kaleidoscopes

In the foreground is one of several fountains in the garden (turned off for the season). Long-range telescopes, in the background, allow visitors to view Forest Park.

A wonderfully whimsical art piece

First four photos by Gary Wangler, Horticultural Therapist, St. Louis Children’s Hospital.
Remaining photos by Alice Webb, blog author

Planting Fields: A Historic Arboretum

On September 19, 2012November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Gardens, Historic Preservation, PlantsLeave a comment

A grand estate built in 1904 in Oyster Bay, Long Island, Planting Fields is now a public arboretum owned by the State of New York. This spacious site includes a restored mansion with adjacent sweeping lawn areas bounded by large specimen trees; formal gardens and fountains; extensive plant collections; numerous woodland trails; tropical greenhouses; and other structures and spaces of historic value. There were several designers involved in planning this property over the years, including the Olmsted Brothers landscape architecture firm of Brookline, Massachusetts, who oversaw projects from 1918 until 1944. Below are a few images of the property that I took during a visit this summer.

Colorful blooms at the Arboretum Center