Rogers Street Park/ Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., Park Nearby Almost Done

As signified by the striking and joyful picture to the left, much has been taking place in the block between Second and Third Streets and the very end of Rogers Street nearby – the ongoing construction of Rogers Street Park (newly renamed Timothy J. Toomey, Jr., Park for our former State Representative and City Councillor, an advocate for affordable housing, access to open space, and safe infrastructure).  The park is one of the three new and distinct parks being created in our area – Triangle Park, Binney Street Park, and Toomey Park – as part of the City of Cambridge’s new vision for our area and its surroundings.  

Kendall Square has changed dramatically from a university-focused and previously industrial area into a world-renowned center of biotechnology, high tech research and development, and innovative startups of all kinds based in a lively and expanding neighborhood setting with over1,200 housing units built in the last two decades.  Through the city’s Eastern Cambridge/Kendall Square Open Space (ECKOS) Study and the Connect Kendall Square Open Space Competition (2013-2015), the resulting Framework Plan (a fascinating and worthwhile read for those interested in our area ( https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/CDD/ParksandOpenSpace/ParkProjects/EasternCambridge/connectkendallsquarereport_lowres.pdf  )  aims at 1) creating a greater sense of place and stronger identity for Kendall Square that brings the diverse segments of the community together in authentic, sustainable, ad hoc meeting spaces at all times of day and throughout the year, including the creation of a series of parks meant as local resources for the community; and 2) creating a stronger and more visible connection between Kendall Square and the Charles River to include the history of the Broad Canal and a greatly improved Charles River Esplanade.  

Following a collaborative process between the city, community members, and other stakeholders, including landscape architects Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, construction began on the largest of the three proposed parks – the  two-acre open, grassy field then informally known as Rogers Park.  Here is the link  https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/Projects/Parks/rogersstreetpark    Building considerations for the park include the following: provide open, inviting corner entrances; create a strong opening and visual connection across Rogers Street to link the residents of the housing to the south with the playgrounds in the park; a raised table across Rogers Street at mid-block to connect to the Winter Garden, the proposed café, and public toilets in the Winter Garden; access to the park from the office building to the north; provide entries from the north to invite residents of the East Cambridge neighborhoods access from Second and Third Streets.  Suggested park programs include: a water play and adventure playground, employing principles of natural play; a winter sledding hill and summer playfield; a flexible open field accommodating a range of sports and community activities; a bike, roller blade, and skate board loop around the perimeter of the open field; a tricycle loop as a safe place for residents to teach their children how to ride bicycles; and a fenced dog park with small and large dog facilities with an open shelter for dog owners to informally meet while their dogs play. Sustainable features include: porous paving; water retention to retain rainwater in the root zone and minimize summer irrigation; and rainwater infiltration gardens.  Overall characteristics include: An environment of distinct but linked landscape green outdoor rooms shaped by canopy trees accented with groves of flowering understory trees; and an undulating topography that shapes an inward-looking park space. 

Since resuming construction after the pandemic slowdown, significant progress has been made at the Toomey Park site, and the park is on target to be opened this fall.  Recently completed work includes: waterplay and splash pad surfacing, farm pump and sand play; play structures, pergola and shade structures, installation of trees and plant materials, safety surfacing, and subsurface utilities.  Ongoing work includes: site furnishings, irrigation, electrical connections and site lighting, drinking fountains, and grading.  Upcoming work includes dog park surfacing and fencing, signage, interior pavement, sidewalk reconstruction on Second and Third Streets, and site fencing.  On our walks in the area we can watch many of these steps progress until the park is finally finished.  Attention will then be directed toward working on Triangle Park located directly across Land Boulevard from our building, with completion of that park expected around summer 2022. 

                                                      --Jessie von Hippel