City of Lynn, Massachusetts DCR Celebrate Opening of Frederick Douglass Park
Vesna Maneva, Senior Landscape Architect at Halvorson | Tighe & Bond Studio, joined the Lynn State Delegation, representatives from the City, Massachusetts DCR, EDIC, and the Minco/Dolben development team, to celebrate the dedication of Frederick Douglass Park in downtown Lynn. The park was designed by Halvorson in collaboration with DCR.
Located in the heart of Lynn’s thriving arts district, this welcoming pocket park honors the culture and heritage of Lynn—with the “Stories of Lynn” mural as its focal point—and pays tribute to Frederick Douglass, who lived in the city from 1841 to 1847.
A raised stage centered under the mural’s painted archway envisions a place for performances and community events. The stage can be viewed from a semi-circular lawn surrounded by brick walkways, lush plantings, benches, and seatwalls made of granite blocks reclaimed from a nearby construction site. Halvorson designed the park to complement the adjacent Lynn Museum garden, applying a similar palette of materials to tie them thematically together.
At the park dedication, officials unveiled a relief sculpture of Douglass by local artist Reno Pisano, placed near the park entrance to signify a pivotal moment in the abolitionist’s time in Lynn.
Lynn Mayor Thomas McGee recognized the hard work of many individuals responsible for the design and naming of the new park. “This is a gem in the center of our downtown, part of our burgeoning arts and cultural district. It’s really exciting to be standing here today in this beautiful Frederick Douglass Park,” said Mayor McGee.
The park, now officially open to the public, is expected to host a variety of events in the coming years, programmed through DCR.
