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Frederick Douglass Park

Pocket Park | Lynn, Massachusetts

Halvorson | Tighe & Bond Studio revitalized an underused open space to create a new pocket park in the heart of Lynn’s thriving arts district, which in recent years has welcomed internationally acclaimed muralists and art installations.

Recognizing to opportunity to create a new community asset that celebrates the culture and heritage of Lynn, the park uses the “Stories of Lynn” mural as its focal point. Halvorson’s design takes inspiration from its colorful backdrop, centering the raised performance stage under the mural’s “trompe l’oeil” archway and extending the curve to the ground plane in the form of a new circular lawn and paths.

The park features a multi-use lawn, edged by brick walkways, seating, and colorful plantings as well as seatwalls along the street edge that use reclaimed granite.

To tie thematically with the Lynn Arts Center’s adjacent park space, Halvorson used the same palette of materials (brick paths, historic benches, and lighting) as those found next door. The City hopes the reimagined park will serve as a companion to the museum’s open space, hosting a variety of performances and other community events to further enrich and add vibrancy to downtown Lynn.