HPNA is using the landscape architect?EUR??,,????'???s illustrated design and plans to raise funds to construct the park. Funds are still needed, but the association was awarded a grant for site improvements from the George B. Henderson Foundation in May, plus additional funding from New England Grassroots Environment Fund?EUR??,,????'???s Boston Grants Initiative program.

After distributing a preliminary survey, 12 CRJA staff members conducted three meetings with members of the Highland Park community to learn what residents wanted for the park, to understand their concerns, to review preliminary design options and to reach consensus on a final design. In the meetings, community members expressed the best things about their neighborhood were its history, diversity, hills and proximity to downtown.

The landscape architects took into account diverse voices in developing their design: parents with small children who often play in the space; neighbors concerned about late night noise; organizers wanting block parties; and commuters who passed by the park on their way to the subway station and were concerned about safety.

Specific preferences for park features included preservation or interpretation of the existing memorial mural, inclusion of shade and flowering trees and plantings, a timeline that acknowledges and teaches the neighborhood?EUR??,,????'???s rich history, planning for children?EUR??,,????'???s safety, creation of an inviting community gathering place, traffic calming, a water feature for children that will shut down automatically to quiet the space in the evenings and enhanced lighting. CRJA chose the parks department?EUR??,,????'???s recommended Boston acorn lighting fixtures to flank both sides of the park. Additional lighting for the sitting area will emphasize the trellis and other features, while flush-mounted solar-powered lights will illuminate the central walkway and timeline. Appropriate lighting will animate the fountain while it is in operation and illuminate the space when it is not.

CRJA?EUR??,,????'???s landscape architects recommended honey locusts for the new park. These large deciduous tree has an open branching pattern and small leaflets that would permit views into the park from the surrounding residences.

To ensure durability and longevity, the landscape architects recommended materials such as granite walls and benches, steel fencing and steel benches.

HPNA hopes that restoration of Alvah Kittredge Park will trigger further revitalization of the square and adjoining streets. HPNA points to the area?EUR??,,????'???s historic figures: anti-slavery journalist and preacher Edward Everett Hale, lithographer Louis Prang (sometimes called the ?EUR??,,????'??father of the American Christmas card?EUR??,,????'??), and prominent abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison all made their homes near Kittredge Park.