The Boston Parks and Recreation Department (BPRD) presented three different designs for the renovation of McLaughlin Park during a May 27 community meeting, according to BPRD project manager Allison Perlman.
Attendees favored a design that would place a new walking path along the eastern and southern portion of the upper terrace.
McLaughlin Park, which is located between Parker Hill and Fisher avenues on top of Parker Hill, is slated for a $333,000 renovation that is expected to start in spring 2015.
Design A, which Perlman said attendees favored with some modifications, would install the aforementioned footpath along with an overlook area and bench in the southeastern portion of the upper terrace. It would also connect a vehicular access path from Parker Hill Avenue to the southern part of the park, as well as plant trees along one side of the basketball court.
Design B would plant trees along Parker Hill Avenue and install a perimeter loop footpath on the upper terrace. An overlook area and bench would be placed on the eastern side of the terrace.
Design C, which appears would implement the least amount of change compared to the other two designs, would install a short footpath along Parker Hill Avenue on the upper terrace.
All three designs would include vegetation management and repairs, including at Ben’s Circular Tower. Design C would also install a overlook area at the tower.
Ben’s Circular Tower is a memorial for Ben Beland, according to the Boston Art Commission website. Beland, who died from cancer, was a child from Mission Hill who enjoyed playing at the park. The tower, which has large stones arranged in a circle and is designed to look like a castle, was created by artist Mags Harries.
“We will follow-up with an online survey, which will be circulated to the community,” Perlman said in an email to the Gazette. “Once we receive this information, the landscape architects, [Cambridge-based] CBA, will propose a preferred design concept at the third meeting. The date for this meeting has not been set.”