NOW
/ BSLA context , and history , each of these sites had its unique challenges .
Allandale Woods
How can 101 acres of rugged woodland in the City of Boston be largely unknown to its neighbors ? Puddingstone outcroppings , ponds , brooks , a vernal pool , and underground springs can all be found in Allandale Woods , if you know they are there . This large woodland is part of the Charles-to-Charles Open Space corridor and spans three of Boston ’ s neighborhoods : Jamaica Plain , West Roxbury and Roslindale . Layers of history are evident across the property in the form of stone walls , masonry footbridges , carriage paths , and building foundations . KZLA ’ s role was — with a gentle hand — to improve access on the trails and twelve trailheads while educating the public and restoring the ecology .
In more rural state or national parks or forests , users have a better understanding of the rules such as “ Leave no trace ” or carry in and carry out .
The Urban Wilds Initiative grew out of a need to protect the city ’ s limited natural landscape and the vast array of resources contained within them . Since the 1970s , city agencies and grass roots groups have been working to preserve these spaces from encroaching development .
The Boston website ( http :// www . cityofboston . gov / Parks / UrbanWilds /) lists 37 urban wilds in eleven neighborhoods with a variety of ecosystems and landscape types . In addition to the diverse ecosystems — woodland , meadow , salt marsh , vernal pools and streams , natural springs , secondary growth forests , and so on — the sites contain significant wildlife habitat , outcroppings of the native puddingstone , and stunning views of the city skyline and the harbor beyond . Some of the sites have remnants from the site ’ s history such as foundations , stairs , and even gardens . Many of the sites have native plant communities while others have thriving communities of … invasives . Many are adjacent to larger preserved public lands creating connections for recreation and habitat corridors .
In the urban setting , the rules are not as clear . At community meetings , we heard about litter and trash as well as strong feedback on dog owners not picking up after their dogs . One community member said , “ It isn ’ t the dogs I don ’ t like , it is the people !” At trailheads we provide clear Urban Wild identity elements , rules and regulations , and orientation maps . Ecological restoration was needed largely because urban wilds get abused ; yard waste , debris and construction debris , are dumped illegally . Soils are disturbed or stripped of topsoil , leaving conditions for successful establishment of invasive species such as Japanese knotweed , Norway maple , buckthorn , multiflora rose , bittersweet , and giant hogweed . These areas were cleared and then replanted with species found within the urban wild .
Puddingstone Gardens
This site , just up the street from Franklin Park , was one of the wilds which had been previously designed as a garden space but its more naturalistic plantings and layout gave the gardens similar qualities of many of the urban wilds . KZLA ’ s plans realigned and regraded the existing walks for accessibility and stormwater improvements ( installing small swales and basins ). The bituminous walks were also repaved and finished with chip and seal to soften the look and slow the flow of stormwater . All of the existing evergreen trees and shrubs — which created obscure spots in the garden — were removed for safety , and replanted with all native species including clethra , meadowsweet , inkberry , and sweet fern — a palette of
Puddingstone Gardens Urban Wild Photo | KZLA
Boston Society of Landscape Architects Fieldbook
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