I had the opportunity to work on a handicap accessible garden for a local assisted living facility. During Covid, my Father had been in such a facility in MA and through this experience I attempted to employ several sensory items into the garden design to engage the residents in outdoor activities and exploration. This proposed program included a wind sculpture, chimes, small water feature, a Stone Butterfly flatwork seating area surrounded by a low Thyme “lawn”, and several pollinator plants for seasonal color, bee and butterfly activity. All seen from the resident’s upper floors to draw their interest into the outdoor garden space.
The stone walls were constructed by JSLA, Tim Gannett Masonry, and the walks installed by Tyler Lawn Care. The planting consultant is Sally Dean. An ongoing work in progress under construction.
View the full Sensory Garden design: CLICK HERE
Bicentennial Square in Concord, NH
We had the opportunity to redesign this hidden gem in the center of Concord NH, originally developed to revitalize downtown. This community input involved several questionnaires, interviews, public input, City meetings, and concept designs that culminated in the restoration of this 30 year old space for the people. One of the goals was to put the history back into Bicentennial Square, and to transform it into a more user friendly space.
The history trail is a relief of the Merrimack River, winding through the space, with tiles depicting historic events from 1776 to present day (art designed by Concord School children). Children love to run up and down the “river” path. Sculptural boulder settings are reminiscent of glacial deposits that separate pedestrian and vehicular traffic, provides seating, and promotes spaces for human interaction.
“The Making of a Hipper Square” – The Concord Insider-2006 (View Article)
The Gold Star Mothers group was a joy to work with. This is a memorial to the Mothers of fallen soldiers. There are six slated for construction in the country. We had the honor to erect the one for the Northeast, and apparently Manchester NH is approximately the geographical center of the northeast.
There are six bronze emblems affixed on alternating granite posts that include Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Merchant Marines, and the Coast Guard. Nearing completion of the project we had the GSM committee affix the military emblems on the pre-prepared posts as a closing ceremony for all their efforts that led to the memorial becoming a reality. They deserved the honor more than us.
The Head of the committee, Tom Gibson, is shown here helping to set the last post that houses the military emblems. I had the honor of installing the Gold Star Mother statue on the granite pedestal in the center of the star. She looks toward the American Flag across the street at Veterans Park.