Ceremony launches the construction phase of the institution’s Sesquicentennial Entrance Improvement Project
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University held a groundbreaking ceremony on Wednesday, October 9 for a capital project to renovate the institution’s historical Poplar Gate entrance. The event marked the start of the construction phase of the Arboretum’s Entrance Improvement Project, a comprehensive plan to enhance accessibility, connectivity, and horticultural aesthetics of all the Arboretum’s portals to adjacent neighborhoods in Jamaica Plain and Roslindale.
Remarks by Arnold Arboretum Director William (Ned) Friedman and Poplar Gate benefactor RoAnn Costin centered on the importance of the project to preserve the vision of landscape designer Frederick Law Olmsted, and to advance the Arboretum’s commitment to equity and welcoming in the landscape. Ms. Costin dedicated the renovation in honor of her father, former Lynn mayor Thomas P. Costin, Jr., and his legacy as a champion of civil rights and community advocate for preserving green space for all. Mayor Costin commented on Olmsted’s philosophy of the democratizing value of public parks by reciting Woody Guthrie’s “This Land Is Your Land.” Among those attending the ceremony were officials from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the City of Boston, and Harvard University.
Poplar Gate, a beloved entry point to the Arboretum’s Peters Hill landscape, has long served as a vital connection between the Arboretum and the diverse communities that border its perimeter. The renovation advances the Arboretum’s commitment to fostering stronger ties with these communities, particularly those identified as Environmental Justice Neighborhoods. By improving this key entrance, the Arboretum aims to create a more inclusive, welcoming, and beautiful environment for its neighbors and all visitors.
The renovation will enhance accessibility for visitors and connectivity for commuters through the Arboretum landscape. It will also improve the horticultural display at this entrance by opening the gate and bringing elements of the Arboretum’s plant collections to this threshold. In line with Harvard University’s sustainability commitment, the plan reduces paved surfaces, increases plantings, and improves active transportation access. Additionally, the City of Boston has committed to funding additional improvements to the interior road that extends from the Poplar Gate entrance, including restoring its cobblestone gutters.
Launched as part of the Arboretum’s sesquicentennial celebrations in 2022, the Entrance Improvement Project is a comprehensive initiative designed to improve the overall visitor experience of the Arnold Arboretum. “The Poplar Gate renovations are a crucial step in our ongoing efforts to make the Arboretum more accessible and welcoming to all,” said Director William (Ned) Friedman. “We are particularly excited about the potential to strengthen our connections with the Environmental Justice Neighborhoods that surround us. This project is not just about improving infrastructure; it’s about building community and fostering a deeper appreciation for the natural world.”
Design work for the renewal of Poplar Gate was executed by renowned landscape architecture firm Michael Van Valkenburgh and Associates. “The Arnold Arboretum is a national treasure, and we feel very honored to be part of the effort to re-open Poplar Gate for the neighborhood,” said Matthew Girard, associate principal at MVVA and lead architect for the Poplar redesign. “The goal for this project, as well as the other Arboretum gates, is to work within Frederick Law Olmsted’s original landscape language to extend a sense of welcome and wonder beyond the Arboretum walls, inviting all to come enjoy this museum of trees.”
The Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, established in 1872, is one of the oldest public arboretums in North America. It serves as a center for botanical research, horticulture, and education, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Free to all and open every day of the year from dawn to dusk, the Arboretum fosters greater understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the Earth’s botanical diversity.