Project Summary

In Boston, there are multiple empty or deserted lots that communities don’t use or don’t care about. When spaces go unused, they may become unsafe or simply useless. We aim to turn these unused empty lots into areas that people and communities can use and enjoy while also being safe. On the right is Lederman Park, a site that we are focusing on and are trying to improve.

Lederman Park

Why this site

When selecting a site, we wanted to find a place in a high-traffic area that wasn't currently being used. We also wanted to find a place that already has development around it such as restaurants and other entertainment. After researching places around Boston and Cambridge, we came across Lederman Park, located on Sturrow Drive across from MGH. It sits next to the Charles, meaning it's right next to part of the Charles River path. It already has baseball fields around it in a neighboring park but Lederman itself remains empty and overgrown. It has the potential to become a highly used space as many people drive past it every day or walk by it when they are walking along the Charles.

Location

Cambridge

Boston

Site Visit Summary

Users + Activities

• Dog owners and joggers mainly use the space
• Activities at the space are dog walking, playing with dogs, jogging, baseball, walking, nature viewing

Pedestrians

• Most people were positioned along the Charles River path next to the site
• We found that only about 5 people walked by when we were there for 30 minutes, two of which had dogs.

Parking

• Very little amount of parking along the side, as well as handicapped parking in front and drop-off parking in front.

Space

• Forgotten, empty, overgrown, unmaintained feeling

Zoning Diagrams

Iteration #1

Zoning Diagrams

Final Zoning Diagram

Precedents

+

Dimension Drawings

Conceptual Models

Final Models

Final Photos

Reflection

Redesigning spaces such as Lederman Park is essential in our world today since it connects communities and gives forgotten spaces a purpose. If our park design were to be implemented in Lederman Park, a place to play, socialize, or simply walk your dog would be born, benefitting everyone in the area. We learned a lot throughout this project, specifically the architecture process, how to do site research, how to 3D model + print, and how to communicate ideas through sketches and diagrams.