The Roxbury Heritage State Park, located in the heart of Boston's Roxbury neighborhood, was created in the early 1980s as part of a State-wide system of urban parks, dedicated to celebrating Massachusetts history. The park includes the 18th century Dillaway-Thomas House, as well as a small green space, managed and maintained by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. In 2014, Governor Deval Patrick set aside funds to restore the park and house, and upgrade the interpretive programming, making it one of his signature projects.
In early 2014, Martha Lyon Landscape Architecture, LLC teamed with a group of planning and design professionals to restore the park. With the team, MLLA engaged in an extensive public outreach program -- including several public workshops, individual and group interviews and school group visits -- to help identify park improvements. The result was a new plan for the landscape, featuring a perimeter pathway, oval performance space, a series of puddingstone gardens, and a revitalized and enhanced fruit orchard, all intended to promote broader and more active use of the site.
In early 2014, Martha Lyon Landscape Architecture, LLC teamed with a group of planning and design professionals to restore the park. With the team, MLLA engaged in an extensive public outreach program -- including several public workshops, individual and group interviews and school group visits -- to help identify park improvements. The result was a new plan for the landscape, featuring a perimeter pathway, oval performance space, a series of puddingstone gardens, and a revitalized and enhanced fruit orchard, all intended to promote broader and more active use of the site.