kincaide_park

quincy_massachusetts

[ site design ]

2021 BSLA Award, Special Recognition, Champions for Community Voice

at bishop land design role: designer, post-occupancy project coordinator

Kincaide Park, a public open space in an underserved neighborhood, was underutilized and in dire need of improvements with floooding and public safety issues. The site includes historic elements such as old growth heritage trees and stone walls reminiscent of granite refining and polishing companies of old Quincy. Community’s desires and wishes for the park were recorded and analyzed in the community outreach process and synthesized in the development of design. Public input and research revealed that stormwater management, recreational amenities, and community access and safety needed to be addressed as priorities. Localized flooding was addressed by restoring the hydrologic cycle that once existed on-site through strategic grading and introducing new infiltration basins to collect surface water, mimicking the function of the former brook. The basins were filled with diverse ecotypes consisting of native and naturalized plants.

A meandering pedestrian trail ties together all the spaces and features and provides space for jogging and running and access to fitness and play equipments. Athletic fields and courts were designed to be used for a range of programming and overal layout of site features aims to accomodate multigenerational use of the space. Improved entrances, increase accessibility to the park. Customdesigned and strategically placed seating supplies comfortable, ADA accessible places to rest or watch field games. New lighting fixtures addressed safety concerns and and allow for extended programming after sunset.

I worked on many aspects of the Kincaide Park project throuought the design and construction process. I participated in the development of initial conceptual options and production of schematics and graphics from concept to construction documentation. I worked along with other team members on the model-making, 3D modeling, site reconnaissance, and community engagement. Under direction of design leadership, I worked on the design of benches from conceptual sketches to prototyping, and final implementation; led the development of signage design for the park; contributed to project administration by drafting contract ammendments; and handled billing and client relations. This project was a great opportunity to participate in various roles and different capacities through years and witness landscape design from beggining to post occupancy.