The Brookline Public Works Department wishes to inform the community that long-awaited renovations and construction in the iconic lagoon area of Larz Anderson Park will begin this month.
Work will be focused on three deteriorating concrete structures:
- The “Temple of Love,” or tempietto, at the far end of the lagoon;
- The center pathway or causeway;
- The arched footbridge near the end of the lagoon toward Goddard Avenue.
The famous architectural firm of Little and Browne designed the three structures, which were built around 1910.
The Town has spent many years assessing the conditions of structures at the park, prioritizing work, and soliciting community feedback at public meetings. The Town’s primary objective is to retain as much of the historic character and detail of the structures as possible within modern construction methods and to ensure public safety.
This project will address structures that the preservation consultant determined to be at the end of their service life and in need of replacement.
Larz Anderson Park is Brookline’s largest park, at more than 61 acres. The park was once the estate of Larz Anderson, a diplomat, and his wife, Isabel Anderson. Isabel Anderson bequeathed the land to the Town in 1948. The willows, lagoon, and tempietto served as the site of many theatrical performances held for charity. Many of the plays performed there were written by Isabel Anderson.
SumCO Eco-Contracting of Peabody was awarded the contract for the project and will begin work in March, including demolition and replacement of the three structures, replacement of adjacent pathways, and accessibility improvements. The lagoon area will be fenced off and closed to the public during construction.
This project is scheduled to reach substantial completion in December 2021.
Those interested may follow the construction progress by visiting the Town’s website here, or contacting Scott Landgren, Senior Landscape Architect with the Parks and Open Space Division, Department of Public Works, by phone at 617-264-6490, or by e-mail at slandgren@brooklinema.gov.
