Site Furniture with Flair

On October 24, 2012November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Site Furniture2 Comments

Outdoor benches need not be ordinary – I’m often searching for one-of-a-kind seats, which seem to be a rarity among a profusion of manufactured site furnishings. Below are a few examples of unique seating opportunities that I’ve encountered on my treks through parks, gardens, and along urban streets.

“Talk tube” benches flank the entrance to Marla Dorrel Park, Cary, NC. These were created by an artist.

One of many “peel-up” benches on the High Line in New York City

A protruding slab of stone in this wall serves nicely as a bench. It’s located at Garden in the Woods, Framingham, MA.

Here is a series of curved benches at West Podium Park in Boston. Note that the width of each bench narrows from one end to the other.

Artist-created fish bench in Eastport Park, Boston

Clever melding of bench with building at South Boston Maritime Park

The following photos are of semi-permanent benches and chairs in downtown Belfast, Maine. Each was designed and built by an artist or craftsperson as part of the town’s “Please be Seated” project. They are bolted to the pavement and kept in place for part of one year (June through October). These are some of the 2012 installations.

“Isn’t it Grand” bench

“Birch Perch” bench

“Buoy-oh-Buoy” bench

“Elemental Earth” bench

“Adirondack Red Magnum” chair (made from slats of a wine barrel)

“Catch a Wave” bench

“The Nest” seat

Photos by Alice Webb

Boston’s Fan Pier Public Green

On November 10, 2011November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Parks1 Comment

One of the newest parks in south Boston’s Seaport district is Fan Pier Public Green. It’s a privately-owned space, open to public use, which overlooks Boston Harbor. The park consists of a large open lawn area which is bounded by walkways on three sides. A wedge-shaped boardwalk runs along the northwest edge of the green, perpendicular to the waterfront – an enjoyable place to sit in the shade of trees and view the harbor on a warm summer day. Also, a boardwalk adjacent to the water connects the park to Boston’s Institute of Contemporary Art.

Walkway on northwest side of green, approaching the harbor

The green, as viewed from the sidewalk along Northern Avenue

Institute of Contemporary Art, with the green in foreground

Nice view of Boston Harbor from raised section of boardwalk

Shady seating area near the harbor

Photos by Alice Webb

Eastport Park in South Boston

On October 13, 2011November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Parks, Public Art3 Comments

One of the parks in south Boston’s Seaport district that I visited this summer is a lushly-planted sculpture garden called Eastport Park. It provides a nice respite from the pavement and buildings that dominate this area of the city. The park is privately owned, but it is open to the public. Below are some photos of this pleasant space.

Photos by Alice Webb

South Boston’s Parks and Plazas

On August 16, 2011November 23, 2017 By Alice WebbIn Parks, Plazas2 Comments

There are several nicely-designed outdoor spaces in south Boston that are open to the public even though they are privately-owned. On a recent outing, I visited five of these spaces, located in the Seaport district of the city, and all within walking distance of one another. These include Eastport Park, South Boston Maritime Park, West Podium Park, The Fan Pier Public Green, and the entrance area of the Boston Children’s Museum (owned by a private, non-profit organization).

These spaces run the gamut from cozy gardens to active plazas and expansive lawns. A taste of each is included in the photos below. I will be writing more about some of these individual places in future posts.

Eastport Park – a sculpture garden with lush plantings and shady seating areas

An attractive bench is integrated with a building in South Boston Maritime Park. This park also includes a large lawn and a sculptural shade structure with tables and chairs.