Art of the Urban Landscape
Fredrick Law Olmsted, SR. What artist, so noble … as he who with far – reaching conception of beuty and designing power, sketches the outlines,
April 20, 2013
Photo: Adine Storer
The Muddy River Restoration Project oversight continues. The MMOC’s attention is on water levels and quality, historic bridge restoration, habitat resilience, and landscaping work throughout Olmsted Park, the Riverway, and Back Bay Fens. At the Justine Mee Liff Park across from the Landmark Center, the focus is on maintaining the newly restored landscape and honoring Olmsted’s original vision for a continuous, meandering Muddy River. At Charlesgate, a transformational public park is taking shape.
The MMOC oversees this work on behalf of the public and keeps you updated. We welcome your questions and comments.
Be sure to follow #OurMuddy on Facebook and Bluesky Social. #showmethemuddy!
Fredrick Law Olmsted, SR. What artist, so noble … as he who with far – reaching conception of beuty and designing power, sketches the outlines,
Across the United States, the 1970’s and 1980’s marked a resurgence of interest in Olmsted and his landscapes. Activists in Boston and Brookline realized the unappreciated treasure that Olmsted had bequeathed to his adopted home – the six-mile linear water-park and Parkways now known as The Emerald Necklace.
Historic landscape resources include the grading or shaping of the land itself, plantings (trees, shrubs, turf), pathways, parkways, park “furniture” (benches, fences, etc.), bridges and other structures.
“We want a ground to which people may easily go after their day’s work is done, where they may stroll for an hour, seeing, hearing, and feeling nothing of the bustle and jar of the streets.”
– Frederick Law Olmsted, 1870
Enhancing the wildlife habitat in and adjacent to the river.
In order to protect the investment in the restored Muddy River, a program of Best Management Practices (BMPs) will be employed.
The objective of flood control is to remove restrictions in the river so that the flooding during major storms (such as the flood of 1996) does not damage adjacent properties or the subway.
Rehabilitation of elements of the historic landscape that includes the river and adjacent parklands.