The Hardscapes Issue of Landscape Architect & Specifier News saw many firms submit their projects for feature consideration. This project was not chosen for a Feature in the issue, but we at LandscapeArchitect.com thought the project deserved to be showcased online . . .

The Town of Holliston has been working for years to determine how best to renovate and improve Blair Square, an actively traversed and highly visible public space in the center of Town. Located along a portion of the popular Upper Charles Rail Trail and flanked by both residential and commercial properties, this narrow strip of land offered a unique set of challenges and opportunities to the Town and its Blair Square Committee. Over the years, Blair Square had accrued many donated site amenities. Each item was thoughtful and usable, yet together they lacked a cohesive theme. Furthermore, being bisected by the rail trail, the Square provided little opportunity for gathering space. Due to its prominent location, Blair Square had long been envisioned by community members as a town commons or a more formalized public open space, designed with a purpose and a goal to define the space.

 
Over the past decade (plus), the Town and various volunteer committees have worked hard to develop ideas to refresh and reinvigorate Blair Square. In 2020, the project finally gained traction. Through a series of public presentations, stakeholder engagement, and an iterative design process, the Blair Square Committee along with its designers - B+T and Inge Daniels Design - developed a well-received master plan. Through CPA and ARPA funding, the Project was able to go to construction in early 2023, and with a mild winter, the project was nearly completed by early spring.

The site improvements for Blair Square were intended to create a defined and cohesive Town Common for Holliston, providing open, green space for civic events, entertainment, and recreation while enabling the Rail Trail to safely pass through. The Project's design welcomes multiple uses: from an individual having lunch to larger groups enjoying performances to a weekend farmer's market and everything in between. An additional goal was to provide a safe multi-use of the space, minimizing conflicts between trail-goers and other Blair Square visitors and/or events. The Project was designed to be compatible with and to complement the character of the Town of Holliston and the neighborhood, providing a central location for residents and local businesses to enjoy.

Blair Square is now home to a beautiful and accessible permeable plaza, which is offset by a lush lawn area, a relocated natural stone dust rail trail, rain gardens and annual flower beds, a cedar pavilion, and a natural seat wall made of Milford Pink granite that historic to the site. Historic and educational signage has been included, along with a new kiosk providing space for a trail map, local happenings, and business postings. Subtle design choices proved to have a big impact on the Project: the permeable paver plaza allows for infiltration of stormwater without the need for additional drainage infrastructure while the relocated rail trail provides a natural traffic calming effect and makes the narrow parcel feel far more spacious.

The Project was completed just before Memorial Day 2023 and right in time to host the annual Friends of Holliston Trails 5K/10K Trail Run during the first weekend in June. The Project was also awarded the first place Concrete Paver Commercial Project under 15ksf by Hardscape North America in the fall of 2023.

To have your project featured in LASN or on LandscapeArchitect.com please email editorial@landscapearchitect.com

For more information about submitting a project, go to: https://landscapearchitect.com/research/editorial/editorial-submissions.php