CLIENT & PROJECT OVERVIEW

In 2022, a multi-year initiative was launched to revitalize the “gem” of Brockton: D.W. Field Park. At 650 acres, this expansive green space is the largest park for passive recreation in Brockton, Massachusetts. Sitting partially in the neighboring town of Avon, D.W. Field Park serves residents of both Brockton and Avon, and draws visitors from neighboring communities in Eastern Massachusetts.

For generations, park-goers have enjoyed birdwatching and walking along wooded paths, fishing off of boulder-lined shorelines, picnicking on sunny lawns, and feeding many eager ducks, swans, and geese. While the park is still held dear by the community, after nearly 100 years of consistent use aspects of its original car-centric design have begun to show their age. Crumbling pavement along the park’s 7 miles of parkway and meandering footpaths, steep slopes, and a lack of accessible, shaded gathering areas have created barriers for some visitors to enjoy the breadth of the park’s offerings.

The D.W. Field Park Initiative, led by Wildlands Trust and the City of Brockton, is charting a course into the future for this important community asset. Other partners include the Town of Avon, Old Colonoy Planning Council, Manomet Wildlife, Environmental Partners and the D.W. Field Park Association. The Conway School was contracted to explore conceptual designs for key park destinations and road conditions as part of a larger comprehensive planning process.

“We envision D.W. Field Park to be a vibrant city park that serves the community and the environment. Revitalization projects will improve water quality, climate resilience, and wildlife habitat, while promoting accessibility and expanding outdoor recreational opportunities” (D.W. Field Park Initiative).

Conceptual Design Focus Areas

D.W. Field Park Initiative

The D.W. Field Park initiative was launched after an anonymous private donation in the amount of $305,000 was received to support an initial two-year planning phase of the project. This first planning phase will produce a new comprehensive plan for the middle third of the park, anticipated to be published by December 2023.

Initiative Goals

• Improve ecological functioning within the park

• Address built infrastructure improvement needs

• Upgrade recreational amenities

• Design and implement education and outreach for youth and adults

Three Phases

While the initiative will ultimately address the park as a whole, this work will be completed in three phases, starting with with the middle section of the park between Oak Street and South Street.

Design Objectives

This plan set presents analyses for the approximately 187-acre project area of parklands between Oak Street and South Street, and explores conceptual design alternatives for four focus areas: Oak Street Parking Lot, Tower Hill Parking Lot, the Waldo Lake Beach, and Waldo Lake dam. These areas were selected based on their high visibility and frequent use, current needs for upgraded amenities, and opportunities for green infrastructure improvements. Alternative road treatments are also presented, representing common road conditions throughout the park. Improve management and support habitat with green infrastructure

Enhance passive recreation opportunities and gathering spaces

Initiative Partners

Design elements and standards generated during phase one will guide development of the northern section, around Brockton Reservoir in Avon during phase two, followed by the southern section of the park during phase three.