Lawrence, MA
2014

Like many small former manufacturing cities along the Merrimack River, Lawrence bears the remains of industries like a dumping ground for an iron producers’ spent castings at the 4.5-acre Ferrous site. Evidence of the former Lawrence Experiment Station, one of the first in the world dedicated to environment research, comingles now with robust spontaneous vegetation in a rambunctious upland and a gnarly beaver-populated riverfront.  All complications aside, our team educated the client and community about the value of urban wilds that could be conceived of as a park.

The design approach was simple, despite the skepticism. The castings pile wasn’t hauled away; it was reshaped as an observatory hill.  The woodlands were curated, edited for impossible invasive species but mostly maintained to open views for safety across places within the park. A calculated allee from inland to riverside comprises labeled woodland species to help make the wildness recognizable. An industrial strength swale filters the water from the mound, underscoring the seam between upland and river, the very source of the Merrimack’s industrial legacy.

PARTNERSHIP WITH STIMSON ASSOCIATES

Clients + Collaborators

Collaborators: Peter Del Tredici, plant ecologist; Pine and Swallow, soil scientists; Nitsch Engineering.Peter Del Tredici, plant ecologist; Pine and Swallow, soil scientists; Nitsch Engineering.

Kudos

American Society of Landscape Architects | Honor Design Award for General Design 2021
Boston Society of Landscape Architects | Merit Award for Design 2020

BAD WITH THE GOOD: Along with being a dumping ground for spent castings, the site hosted an experimental station for environmental advancements.

BIG BUMP: The spent castings from the foundry poked up amongst a post-industrial woodland.

A GOOD EYE: Project partner Steve Stimson surveys the industry along the Merrimack River.

SIMPLE DIAGRAM: The foundry castings mound is resculpted to become a legible form amongst the urban wilds.

WILD VIEW: Prescribed editing of the woodland edits the understory to open views throughout the site.

CULTIVATED + WILD: The plan calls for different management strategies.

NOT TOO TAMED: The overview from the mount reflects just enough intention to be a park. (photo: STIMSON)

THE WAY IN: A pavilion serves as a central point for understanding the industrial history and ecological future of the site. (photo: STIMSON)

JUST OUTLINE: The existing wilds are edited and outlined with intention. (photo: STIMSON)

WILD COLLAGE: The swale and mound and riparian woodland converge with industrial structures on the horizon. (photo: STIMSON)

SPARE WILDNESS: Snow covered mound and riparian woodland frame red brick warehouses. (photo: STIMSON)

SPARE WILDNESS: Snow covered mound and riparian woodland frame red brick warehouses.