Bridgewater, MA – As part of ongoing campus improvements outlined in the long range campus master plan, 2012 and 2013 saw the development of a major new landscaped space at Bridgewater State University (BSU). University Park is a five acre pedestrian oriented green space, taking the place of a 400 car paved parking lot at the geographical center of campus. Previously, students, faculty and staff had to traverse a large expanse of asphalt replete with vehicular traffic to get between East and West Campus. While the two halves of campus remain physically separated by an MBTA commuter rail line, the park successfully bridges the physical gap that existed between the two sides of campus by redirecting cars away from the campus center.
Design and engineering was a truly collaborative process between Radner Design Associates, Inc. landscape architects; Nitsch Engineering, Inc. civil engineers; and RS&H Associates, Inc. electrical engineers. The general contractor was Lawrence Lynch Associates, Inc. of Falmouth.
Construction of a new parking deck at the eastern fringe of the campus freed up space for the park, which now provides not only a safe and enjoyable pedestrian connection between the two sides of campus, but enhances environmental quality as well. Features of the park include the extension of dramatically wide, tree lined connective walkways, three plazas providing gathering and meeting spaces, extended lawn areas for passive recreation, and hundreds of native plantings to provide a buffer between human activity and environmentally sensitive areas. New walkways to the existing on-campus MBTA commuter rail station were also built.
Removal, or ‘daylighting’, of a large drainage pipe that ran underneath the parking lot allowed for construction of a man-made wetland, which enhances stormwater quality, protects the adjacent existing wetlands, provides wildlife habitat, and is a visual amenity to those passing by. A meandering path with benches next to the water feature provides a contemplative space as well.
Another significant infrastructure improvement includes burial of an overhead primary electrical line, removing a prominent eyesore while providing additional reliability to campus electrical service. The construction cost for the project is just under $1.8 million.