Dedham Town Green
Municipal Open Space | Dedham, MA
Upon the relocation of the police department, the Town of Dedham chose to create a new open space on its parcel in the heart of downtown. The resulting design is a flexible civic destination that complements the vibrancy of the district, while also reflecting the history of Dedham.
The Town Green is organized around a central lawn surrounded with rain gardens, raised planting beds, and an “Urban Wild” tree planting that conceals the blank façade of an adjacent building and creates a sense of natural habitat within its urban context. A covered pavilion provides a sheltered area, while a curving pergola feature integrates bench seating, bench swings, and interpretive signage.
Dedham’s history is embedded in the design, including the outline of Motherbrook Canal (the nation’s oldest man-made canal, built in 1639) on the paved plaza, a historical timeline along the path, and a prominent connection to the Dedham Museum and Archive. Additional features include green infrastructure, moveable seating for flexible gathering options, and a nature play area for children.
