Divisions & Programs

Edward S. Duffett Park/Maple Avenue Park Improvements

What's Happening Now
Project Background
Photo Gallery
For More Information

What's Happening Now

Maple Avenue Park is located at the intersection of Maple Avenue and Marie Avenue in the Mid Cambridge neighborhood. Park renovations were completed in 2004.

Project Background

In 2002 the Community Development Department held two open houses for neighbors to discuss the redesign of the park. Construction on the park began in fall 2003, and was completed in spring 2004 prior to the opening celebration.

The project included a complete replacement of the play equipment previously in the park. For the new play area, the designers used the concept of 'oversized building blocks'. The centerpiece of the new park is a 'Castle' constructed of 'building blocks' surrounding a sand and water play area. Benches and tables, designed to look like building blocks, carry the theme throughout the park. The blocks and tables are all made of a plastic material called Corian, and the corners of the blocks are rounded to reduce the risk of small children being injured. Other play equipment has been placed around this 'Castle', while care has been given to maintain enough open space to allow children to circulate freely throughout the park.

Other new features of the park include

a climbing structure for toddlers;
a small carousel;
swings for older and younger children;
a sensor control mechanism for the water sprinkler;
a shaded seating area for children and adults at the entrance to the park;
an eight-foot cedar fence at the back of the park to provide more privacy to the adjacent buildings.

The park is named in memory of Edward S. Duffett (1947-1967), a neighborhood resident who died while serving in Vietnam.

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Photo Gallery

Here you will find a collection of photos of the finished park. Select a photo or the caption beneath to view a larger version of the picture.


Blocks and Equipment	Entrance

Swing	Plantings

For More Information

For more information about the renovation project contact Jeff Roberts, jroberts@cambridgema.gov, Neighborhood Planner, at 617/349-4639. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.

To report maintenance issues contact Shawn Headley, Park Maintenance District Supervisor for the Department of Public Works, at 617/349-6960.

For information about crime prevention contact Sgt. John Fulkerson of the Cambridge Police Department, Neighborhood Sergeant for Mid-Cambridge, at 617/349-3393.

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