Infra\tecture: Parks as Critical Infrastructure

Parks and open spaces are often conceived of as civic amenities, enriching their communities by providing places to gather, recreate, relax, and connect with nature. However, they have the potential to be so much more than simply beautiful places - they can function as performative landscapes providing critical services that mitigate the effects of climate change while enhancing public health and wellness.

Boston has a long, rich history of crafting these working landscapes. The Emerald Necklace, designed over a century ago by Fredrick Law Olmsted, is fundamentally a water management system masquerading as a park. This tradition continues today, as firms like Weston & Sampson design public open spaces that provide protection from rising sea levels while enhancing equitable access to the waterfront.

Join the BSA Infra\tecture Committee on Wednesday, April 27th @ 12PM either virtually or at BSA Space for a thought-provoking discussion that proves why parks are critical infrastructure.

Panelists:

Cheri Ruane, FASLA
Vice President, Landscape Architecture
Weston & Sampson

Julie Eaton Ernst, PE
Resilience Team Leader
Weston & Sampson

Moderators:

Josh Fiala AIA, AICP
Principal Planner, MAP

Brian Gregory AIA
Project Manager, Perkins&Will