Larz Anderson Park's Lagoon Area To Be Renovated

BROOKLINE, MA — If you have walked near the lagoon area of Larz Anderson Park recently, you may have noticed that the "Temple of Love" tempietto, the pathway and the footbridge near the far end of the lagoon have been deteriorating.

This month, crews will begin the $1.8 million work to renovate three popular structures and add railings, a fountain for aeration of the lagoon, restoration of the edges, stairs and lawn restoration, according to Department of Public Works Commissioner Erin Chute Gallentine. By the end of the year the work should be finished.

The well-known architectural firm of Little and Browne designed the three structures, modeling the tempietto after the Temple of Love at Versailles. The three were built around 1910.

Over the many years since, the structures around the lagoon have undergone numerous restorations. In 2009 and then again in 2017 a preservation consultant checked in on the structures, but it wasn't until recently did they determine them to be at the end of their life and in need of replacement. The town set to work last year reaching out to the public for input and making a plan.

"The Town’s primary objective is to retain as much of the historic character and detail of the structures as possible within modern construction methods and to ensure public safety," according to Gallentine.

Larz Anderson Park is Brookline’s largest park, at more than 61 acres. The park was once the estate of Larz Anderson, a diplomat, and his wife, Isabel Anderson. She bequeathed the land to the Town in 1948. The willows, lagoon, and tempietto has since served as the site of many theatrical performances —including many plays written by Anderson herself — held for charity.

SumCO Eco-Contracting of Peabody will begin demolition and replacement of the three structures, replacement of the pathways. and accessibility improvements this month, according to the town.

The lagoon area will be fenced off and closed to the public during construction, which is expected to last until at least December 2021.

Jenna Fisher is a news reporter for Patch. Got a tip? She can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna). Have a something you'd like posted on the Patch? Here's how.