Sasaki
Last week, Sasaki, state and city officials, and community members celebrated the grand opening of the Watertown Riverfront Park and Braille Trail. Designed for people of all ages and abilities, the new park space is comprised of an accessible garden and a walking path along the Charles River.
The project engaged many members of the Watertown community, including the nearby Perkins School for the Blind. With extensive input from community members, Sasaki designed a quarter mile Braille trail with guide wire and Braille markers, enabling blind and low-sighted users to navigate independently. The park also features a fully accessible sensory garden, which encourages visitors to appreciate non-visual aspects of the riverfront.
The sensory garden includes many tactile sculptural pieces created by artist Mitch Ryerson, like hand-crafted boats for community members to sit in
The cable guiding system has different-shaped indicator beads to identify park features and seating opportunities.
Travis Mazerall, ASLA, reflected on the park, “The opening of this park is significant because it connects adjacent communities to one another and the Charles River, improves the park, and strengthens users’ connection to nature in an accessible way for all to enjoy.”
Click here to read more about the grand opening.
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Curbed dubbed the newly opened, accessible trail a “true community site”