Archdale Community Park

At the Archdale Village, Trust for Public Land, the Boston Housing Authority (BHA), and Archdale community members have come together to create a park that meets the needs of the whole neighborhood, which is home to a vibrant muti-generational community that has been disproportionately impacted by health, economic, and other disparities.

Although Archdale Village is relatively close to other green spaces in the area, access has been impeded by busy roads, railroad tracks, and lack of convenient park entrances. The 281-unit complex once had a playground that provided green space for children to play and adults to relax, but it burned down in the 1990s and was never replaced. Now, the current space is unwelcoming, aging, and minimally maintained.

We’re working hand-in-hand with residents to enact their vision of the park. The new playground will bring the community’s ideas to life by providing a fun and safe space that enables children to play creatively, while also serving as a gathering space for the larger community. New green infrastructure will be thoughtfully implemented to help mitigate the effects of climate change, like flooding and urban heat islands, which is critical to the area as it’s prone to stormwater runoff and pollution.

With help from our partners, TPL will work with community members through each step of the progress—engagement, design, and construction—to connect more than 3,900 people that live within a 10-minute walk to a much-needed greenspace. The Archdale Community Park will serve as a model as we lay the groundwork to bring more close-to-home greenspaces to other communities throughout Boston—addressing issues of climate equity throughout Boston, empowering residents, and improving quality of life.

When communities come together to envision, design, create, and manage parks, the results are more than just parks; they are stronger social bonds, a sense of identity and pride, and community empowerment. We’re working to ensure that the Archdale Community Park will bring these benefits to the residents of Archdale Village and beyond.