Langone Park & Puopolo Playground – Resilient Waterfront Park Design

In collaboration with the City of Boston Parks and Recreation Department (BPRD), Weston & Sampson led the community outreach, design, permitting, and construction for the comprehensive renewal of this 4.5-acre signature waterfront park in Boston’s historic North End. First in the city to incorporate Boston's climate resiliency construction standards, the reconstruction of Langone Park and Puopolo Playground will help protect the park and its harbor edge, the neighborhood, and other public and private assets from projected sea level rise and more frequent storm events. An innovative design provides a resilient 4.5-acre signature waterfront park with an elevated Harborwalk, new secondary seawall, and park features constructed at higher elevations. Ground improvements and lightweight soils elevate the park up to seven feet without affecting adjacent structures, properties, and the existing seawall. We also implemented stormwater and infrastructure protection strategies to allow for programmed flood pathways and faster recovery of the park and neighborhood after storm events and for the future connection of off-property stormwater systems that will reduce potential flooding pressures in the city. The redesigned space provides critical, equitable recreation opportunities for a diverse, multi-generational population along with expansive harbor views and access.

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