Eastman Conservation Area

Weston & Sampson was selected to design improvements to the Eastman Conservation Area including boardwalks/trails and sports field upgrades in Needham, Massachusetts.

The Eastman Conservation Area serves as an outdoor learning laboratory for an elementary school and the Needham Science Center. The conservation area includes wetlands, meadows and streams, open bodies of water, uplands, and rock outcroppings. Our team worked closely with education professionals to develop compelling interpretive and interactive signage that enhances teaching at various “learning pods” located throughout the site. Specific work included the design of boardwalks, at-grade trails, overlooks, piers, and a wide range of other site amenities intended to support storytelling. By design, the outdoor classroom spaces and amenities are minimally invasive and unobtrusive; they were located and positioned to allow users an interactive and direct experience, in addition to viewing them from outside the resource area.