Last week, on a fairly brisk morning, I took a walk along the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston. I specifically went out to gather inspiration for a potential design project. I had met, a few days earlier, with residents of a multi unit condo building in South Boston. Their property has a huge area of unused, open green space (the size of a double city lot) that they want to turn in to a useable, beautiful space for the building residents. As we talked about the potential program (space for seating and outdoor dining, privacy, a walkway to the adjacent street, perhaps a community garden and a dog run area) I kept thinking about public parks. So, I went down to the Greenway to see what design elements might be relevant in a multi unit residential space.
It was fun, and I did find a lot of inspiring elements. Here are a few of them!
![IMG_0683](https://nilsenlandscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IMG_0683-768x1024.jpg)
In this narrow section, plant beds are edged with sweeping curves of granite. A great way to create rhythm and interest in a long narrow space
![IMG_0678](https://nilsenlandscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IMG_0678-1024x768.jpg)
I love how these multi stemmed birch are planted in berms amidst the hardscape. Reminded me a bit of Martha Schwartz’s design for the Minneapolis Courtyard Plaza
![IMG_0672](https://nilsenlandscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IMG_0672-1024x768.jpg)
A great detail, this channel drain is beautiful and delineates two color tones in the hardscape
![IMG_0692](https://nilsenlandscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IMG_0692-768x1024.jpg)
The mural at Dewey Square Park is something that changes every year or so. This installation is titled Seven Moon Junction by Shinique Smith
![IMG_0717](https://nilsenlandscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IMG_0717-1024x768.jpg)
A great example of a mixed plant bed looking great in late Autumn/early Winter. This is a mix of Fothergilla, Aster and Amsonia underplanting different deciduous trees
![IMG_0705](https://nilsenlandscape.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/IMG_0705-1024x768.jpg)
The gate to the Chinatown park area. What I love about this is the strong color, the simple sweep of grass and the use of structure as a transition.