Shadley Associates is working with Bargmann Hendrie + Archetype Inc. on a new 276 unit mixed use development along Revere Beach Parkway in Medford. The site, and the also-designated future Wellington Greenway site directly to the south of it, are the last two central links that need to be constructed to connect over 5 miles of existing continuous waterfront trails that have already been constructed to the north and south along the Mystic and Malden Rivers. The project proposes transforming the existing and currently inaccessible urban wild into approximately 1.75 acres of attractive and fully accessible public waterfront park, approximately 1 acre of which is newly created or greatly enhanced wildlife and pollinator habitat. The landscape will function as an entry to the Wellington Greenway from the north, and the overall character of the landscape is envisioned as an informal, naturalistic space that is easy to access, fully ADA compliant, and a comfortable place to pass through or to pause in and enjoy expansive views of the river.
The intent of the Project is to provide a significant net expansion of healthy, native habitat, and to preserve and complement the semiwild area along the Project Site’s Malden River shoreline. The work will also enhance the overall health of the Riverfront Area by providing a natural space with improved capacity for pollutant capture and infiltration of stormwater runoff. At the center of the new riverfront landscape, new trees and a stone seat wall will frame a central lawn area, accessed primarily from the proposed 10′ wide porous asphalt public path with benches, lighting and interpretive signage creating a naturally welcoming and shared common ground to be used by both the public and the building residents. The site plan includes pedestrian connections to the MBTA lot along the north and south sides of the building, and the newly created half acre of native pollinator planting on the south of the site is a noteworthy addition to the configuration and critical mass of contiguous habitat areas.