Dedham Square Plans For Community Park Taking Shape

DEDHAM, MA - Plans for a community park at the current site of the Dedham Police Station came into sharper focus, as the Dedham Square Planning Committee (DSPC) met Monday night to discuss a new preliminary design that combined the most popular features of three drafts.

At a meeting last week, more than 100 people commented on the three proposals for landscaped public space at the corner of Washington and High streets, where the police station is located. The police department will move into the new combined public safety building currently under construction at 26 Bryant St., the former location of Dedham Town Hall. It is scheduled to be operational next October, with construction completed by early 2023.

Information was gathered from residents earlier this year to formulate these designs as well as to determine the best use for the property. The overwhelming choice for the use of the land was a public green space rather than selling the property or trying to refurbish the old structure. References were made to the town commons in Norwood and Walpole as well as Adams Park in Roslindale as community gathering spaces.

Urban designer Don Giard was hired by the Town to provide site analysis, visioning, and landscape design options for the site. After the feedback on the three proposals, he created a concept with popular elements from each design. He presented the latest concept last night.

"It is exciting to get feedback on these draft design options," said Giard. "The extensive public outreach led by the Dedham Square Planning Committee has greatly enhanced the design process and will continue to play a critical role as this project advances."

Giard added that a water element, such a a fountain feature or a splash pad, was a popular feature. Also important was the safety element of pulling the park back from the street. A new concept of using movable planters would not only add beauty but also serve as a traffic calming effect.

To address traffic and speeding in Dedham Square, the level of Church Street will be raised in a concept called "tabling." It would reduce vehicular lane widths and replace angled parking with parallel parking.

The hybrid concept offered a range of uses for the green space. A pavilion and flexible stage area were proposed on the eastern side of the park on Washington Street, with a pergola for a more quiet part on the western side. A rain garden was featured near the pergola.

"A lot of people really liked the idea of the porch and a pavilion on the side where there is the most commercial activity," said Jessica Porter, the DSPC co-chair and member of the Planning Board. This area "would be more active and dynamic and probably more vibrant."

Residents also said they liked the idea that "the more you go into the park, the more quiet and private and sedate it becomes."

Trees would surround the edges of the park on three sides, helping with noise reduction from traffic.

A community bulletin board at the community porch also was a popular feature, as well as bench swings, a seat wall, tables and an area for children to play. The porch in this design would be about 32 feet wide and 50 feet long. Its roof could potentially have solar paneling.

"We're trying to create different experiences throughout the park," Giard said.

Porter noted that the proposed park could accommodate several hundred people for an event such as a concert or the holiday stroll in the winter.

Member Susan Fay asked if the stage could be moved so that it would be centered with the lawn.

"The next phase of the design will get more into what that structure would look like," Giard said.

As the design evolves, there also will be input from landscape architects and an arborist.

Committee members agreed with the conceptual design. This will help to determine the cost of the project as well as funding streams. It will be presented first to the Planning Board in October. The plan and a report then can go before the Select Board in late October or early November before it can move forward for consideration at the Spring Town Meeting.

Dennis Teehan, a Select Board member who has actively supported the project, said determining the projected costs would be key to see "a budget that is going to be palatable to Town Meeting members and to the public."

"We have created something that is special," he continued. "It's a hundred-year decision. We want to do it right."

Last night's meeting can be viewed here, courtesy of Dedham TV. The meeting last week can be seen on a link to Dedham TV here.