LOW MAINTENANCE COLLIDES WITH ESTHETICS: A PARK STORY

In 1963, an abandoned aqueduct in Wellesley, Massachusetts, was torn down, the pipe sealed, and the entire site graded on a 5:1 slope, loamed, and seeded. Some trees were planted in the area to complete the landscaping. As the municipal budget tightened, efforts were undertaken to decrease the cost of landscape maintenance. A ten foot strip adjacent to Walnut and Cedar streets was mowed and the rest left intentionally unmowed, saving 75% of the maintenance hours required. An outcry from abutting residents led to a plan which would satisfy residents, improve the esthetics of the area, and reduce maintenance costs. The project was begun last spring. It is briefly described in this article, which also provides further information on the savings realized.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/1606878
• Authors:
  • Phillips Jr, L E
• Publication Date: 1990-3

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: p. 62, 117
• Serial:
  • Public Works
  • Volume: 121
  • Issue Number: 3
  • Publisher: Hanley Wood
  • ISSN: 0033-3840
  • Serial URL: http://www.pwmag.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aesthetics; Landscape design; Maintenance management; Parks; Programming (Planning); Public participation; Reduction (Chemistry); Roadside
• Uncontrolled Terms: Maintenance costs
• Geographic Terms: Massachusetts
• Old TRIS Terms: Reduction
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Planning and Forecasting; Society; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00491766
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 31 1990 12:00AM