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Public Open Space at Trolley Square
What's Happening Now
Construction of the new park was completed in 2007. The public open space and art at Trolley Square are now open to the public.
About the Project
The City of Cambridge Community Development Department, in collaboration with neighborhood residents, has created a new public park as part of the redevelopment of the former MBTA trolley yard site located on Massachusetts Avenue and Cameron Avenue in North Cambridge.
The new park is approximately 3,600 square feet in size and located at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Cameron Avenue. The site is adjacent to the existing Linear Park, as well as new housing, retail and community space.
Two community meetings were held in May and October of 2006, to discuss the new park at Trolley Square. These meetings were an opportunity for residents and future users of the park to provide information on neighborhood open space needs and design preferences for the park.
During the process staff also presented some of the design criteria that are considered in planning a public open space such as this one:
- A successful park design creates a gathering place for community activities (not just a path to somewhere else)
- The new park should feel open and welcoming; accessible to everyone; a public space.
- The new park should be an urban oasis in an otherwise very active location.
- The new park should be unique to itself and yet feel like a logical extension of the existing park (Linear).
- The existing park (Linear) has it’s own visual character or “language” that needs to be respected.
- Introduce naturalizing materials and plantings to create calming, tranquil and peaceful surroundings.
- The new park should be dynamic, interesting, stimulating, and beautiful.
A concept plan based on the community’s input was presented at the second public meeting and received unanimous approval.
The new park features a plaza area, trees, plantings, a flower garden, lighting, and benches and tables. Improvements to the open space also include a landscaped pedestrian link to Linear Park and improvements at the connection to Linear Park. The pedestrian link contains new lighting, trees, benches and plantings. The Linear Park improvements also include similar features, as well as bike racks, an authentic trolley wheels display with historic panel, and an innovative piece of play equipment that can function as a warm-up station for exercisers.
Go
to Cambridge Arts Council information about Trolley
Square Art Installation.
Relevant Documents
These files are in PDF format and require use of the free Adobe Acrobat viewer.
- Map of Approximate Site Layout (178 KB)
- May 11, 2006 Public Meeting Notes
- October 10, 2006 Meeting Flyer
- October 10, 2006 Public Meeting Notes
- October 10, 2006 Meeting Presentation, Including Proposed Design (3.8 MB)
Also of Interest
- Homeowners Rehab Inc. (HRI) Trolley Square information
- Linear Park - Massachusetts Avenue Crossing
- Trolley Square Committee Report
- Trolley Square Housing RFP
- Trolley Square Committee and Public Meeting Notes
For More Information
If you would like more information please contact Taha Jennings at 617/349-4603 or email at tjennings@cambridgema.gov. The Community Development Department TTY line is 617/349-4621.
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