Reimagining Johnson Park- A Design Proposal for Swampscott, MA Cantell ● Faye ● Gohringer ● Simons

Reimagining Johnson Park:
A Design Proposal
for Swampscott, MA
Cantell ● Faye ● Gohringer ● Simons

3
A Design Proposal for Swampscott, MA
Field Project Team
Anna Cantell
Mbacke Faye
Elizabeth Gohringer
Elise Simons
Client
S. Peter Kane
Town of Swampscott, MA
Tufts Team
Christine Cousineau
Kate Ito
Tufts University Department of Urban and Envi-
ronmental Policy and Planning, May 2016
Reimagining Johnson Park

4
The Tufts UEP Johnson Park Field Project Team would
like to thank the Town of Swampscott for their sup-
port, advice, and feedback throughout the design pro-
cess. Special thanks to Director of Community Devel-
opment S. Peter Kane, the Swampscott Open Space &
Recreation Plan Committee, the Swampscott Histori-
cal Commission, the Swampscott Municipal Design
Committee, and the Swampscott Planning Board.
Acknowledgements

5
Table of Contents
Executive Summary 9
I. Introduction 15
UEP Team
Client
Project Background
Project Goals
Methodology
II. Site Description 19
The Story of Johnson Park
Johnson Park Today
Historical Context
Open Space and Recreation
Accessibility
Coastal Environment
Vegetation
III. Coastal Park Design Precedents 29
IV. Community Engagement Process 37
Committee Meetings and Interviews
Community Meeting
V. Park Design Recommendations 45
A Tour of the Park
Summary of Recommendations
Access and Circulation
Park Amenities and Infrastructure
Vegetation
VI. Conclusion 69
Bibliography 71
Appendices 79
A Coastal Flooding & Stormwater Management
B Coastal Regulations
C Green Infrastructure and Rain Gardens
D Soil Quality
E Vegetation Options Table
F Committee Feedback
G Accessibility Notes
H Funding Sources

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List of Figures and Tables
Figures
1. Field Project Team in Johnson Park 15
2. Johnson Park in Relation to a. Boston and b. Swampscott 19
3. Johnson Park Today 19
4. Johnson Park Ground-level views of the site a. b. c. d. 20
5. New Ocean House Resort Hotel, Swampscott, MA 21
6. Beachfront Lawn of New Ocean House Resort Hotel 21
7. New Ocean House Beach and Seawall a. b. c. 22
8. Interrupted Pathways 23
9. Broken Pavement 23
10. Crosswalk between Johnson Park and New Ocean House Path 24
11. Bike rack at Johnson Park 24
12. Aerial and Ground View of New Ocean House Footpath
connecting Johnson Park to Phillips Park Parking Lot a. b. 25
13. Coastal Storms on the Half-moon Bench a. b. 26
14. Johnson Park Lawn 27
15. Beach Bluff Park, Swampscott, MA a. b. 31
16. Eastern Promenade, Portland, ME a. b. c. 32
17. Wheelchair-Accessible Parks and Beaches a. b. 33
18. Lawn on D, Boston, MA 33
19. Burlington, VT a. b. c. 34
20. Pleasure Beach, Bridgeport, CT 35
21. Timeline of Community Engagement for Johnson Park 37
22. Community Meeting Flyer and Neighbors Visited a. b. 39
23. Images from the Community Meeting and Word Cloud a. b. c. 40-41
24. Early Drafts of the Johnson Park Design a. b. 44
25. Aerial View of Johnson Park 45

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26. Johnson Park: Eastern Path Entrance a. b. c. d. e. 46-47
27. Johnson Park: Changing Shelter and Bathroom a. b. 47
28. Johnson Park: Picnic Area 47
29. Johnson Park: Half-moon Bench a. b. c. 48
30. Johnson Park: Rain Garden and Washing Station a. b. 49
31. Johnson Park: Western Entrance to the Park 49
32. Pavement at New Ocean House Resort Hotel 54
33. Berm, Curved Bench, Raised Bed a. b. c. 54-55
34. Revetment Wall Design 56
35. Entrance Sign 56
36. The Pergola, Proposed Tensile Structures, and Flood Bench a. b. c. 57
37. Picnic Table and Umbrella Options a. b. c. d. e. 58-59
38. Aesthetic for Changing Shelter and Bathroom 59
39. Rain Garden a. b. c. 60
40. Topographical Map, Johnson Park 61
41. Informal Boulder Seating 62
42. Bollard Style Bike Rack 62
43. Trash and Recycling Bins 63
44. Raised Bed Vegetation a. b. c. d. 64-65
45. Sidewalk Berm Vegetation a. b. 65
46. Rain Garden Vegetation 66
47. Half-moon Bench Vegetation a. b. 67
48. Pathway Vegetation 68
49. Coastal Green Infrastructure Park Plan 81
50. Rain Garden Diagram and Image a. b. 82
Tables
1. Community Meeting Results 43
2. Vegetation Options Table 84-85
3. Allowable Uses of CPA Funding 91
4. Private Funding Sources 98

9
Executive Summary
Members of the student and client
teams relax in the Half-moon Bench
(Elise Simons, December 2015)
Eastern Side of Johnson Park (Elise
Simons, April 2016)
Western edge of the park with path,
looking south (Elise Simons, April
2016)
The beachfront lawn of New Ocean
House Resort Hotel, which would one
day become Johnson Park
(Swampscott Historical Commission)
Purpose of Project
The Town of Swampscott asked a team of
graduate students (Anna Cantell, Mbacke Faye,
Elizabeth Gohringer, and Elise Simons) in the
Tufts’ department of Urban and Environmental
Policy and Planning (UEP) Field Projects Course to
develop a comprehensive proposal for redesigning
Johnson Park, a one-acre coastal park in a
residential neighborhood of Swampscott. While
the beach bordering the park is a popular
summertime destination, the park itself is barren
of amenities and people, under-maintained, and
in need of rejuvenation. Once the site of a resort
hotel beach access point and swimming pool, it is
now a flat expanse of mowed grass, with one
historic bench structure and no trees, shrubs, or
any other vegetation. The Town of Swampscott
intends to turn Johnson Park into an accessible
and welcoming community space, improve the
park aesthetic with a minimal increase in park
maintenance, and create an environmentally,
culturally, and historically relevant park, all
without obstructing ocean views for neighborhood
residents. The Tufts UEP Field Project Team was
asked to consider existing conditions,
environmental context, neighborhood
preferences, and the needs of the community in
the establishment of a new and improved design
for Johnson Park in Swampscott.
Executive Summary

10
View of Johnson Park from Puritan
Road, looking south to the ocean
(Anna Cantell, April 2016)
View of the seawall and New Ocean
House Beach, looking west (Elise Si-
mons, April 2016)
Image of Community Meeting Flyer
(Tufts Team)
Major Findings
The Team investigated the park’s environmental
conditions and history through research,
interviews with various town committees, and an
investigation of coastal park design concepts
through a study of other coastal park precedents.
Additionally, feedback from the abutting
neighborhood and Swampscott community at
large was obtained through a Community Meeting
at the Swampscott High School on March 10,
2016.
Major findings from these investigations include:
 Mobility within the park is limited by
incomplete pathways, which should be
redesigned and connected to encourage park
visitors (including joggers, bikers, and
picnickers) and improve access for the elderly
and disabled.
 The site appearance should be improved.
Some historical elements of the park — such
as the Half-moon Bench and original paving —
should be maintained and restored due to
cultural and historical value, while other
elements should be removed to improve the
appearance of the space.
 Passive recreation (i.e. sitting, picnicking,
walking, jogging, dog-walking, view-gazing,
and socializing) are preferred uses for the
park.
 Preservation of the ocean view is paramount,
but some shaded areas should be incorporated
in ways that will not needlessly block the view
of the ocean.
Executive Summary

11
Image of Word Cloud based on Com-
munity Meeting brainstorming
presentations (Wordle.net)
Swampscott Residents brainstorm at
Community Meeting (Courtesy of
Peter Kane, March 2016)
 Vegetation in the park should be geared toward
ecological appropriateness, minimal maintenance,
and maximum aesthetic value.
 Preferred park amenities include seating and
picnicking areas, a bathroom and changing room
for the beach, a foot washing station for
beachgoers, trash and recycling bins, a dog bag
dispenser, bike racks, park signs and a message
board, and a historic plaque for the Half-moon
Bench.
 Park access is limited by the lack of available
parking — access to and awareness of the nearby
parking lot should be improved.
 The high level of park and neighborhood flooding
during coastal storms is not adequately mitigated
by the seawall between the beach and the park;
other coastal and stormwater management
techniques should be considered.
 The likelihood of sea level rise due to climate
change in the next 30 - 50 years is high enough to
merit strategic use of coastal flooding mitigation
techniques and green infrastructure design.
Executive Summary

12
Johnson Park, Swampscott: current conditions (top) and proposed design (bottom) (The Field Project
Team)
Executive Summary

13
Half-moon Bench from the main path
Picnic Area
Rain Garden
Major Recommendations
Based on these findings, the following
recommendations will be made to the Town of
Swampscott as part of the design proposal:
 Incorporate green infrastructure design
techniques, including a vegetated berm and rain
garden, to mitigate coastal flooding in the park.
 Conduct a soil analysis to determine the best
vegetation options.
 Incorporate raised beds and berms with flood- and
salt-tolerant vegetation to improve the park’s
aesthetics, mitigate flooding issues, reduce
pollution, improve road safety, create a cohesive
space, and lessen maintenance requirements.
 Connect and improve the pathways to and within
the park to facilitate access and improve
circulation for all park users.
 Restore the Half-moon Bench and historic tile
paving from the New Ocean House Resort Hotel.
 Include removable tensile structures, reminiscent
of the pergola from the New Ocean House Resort
Hotel, over the Eastern Path to provide shade.
 Provide restrooms and changing areas for
beachgoers.
 Maintain open lawn space for recreational and
aesthetic purposes.
 Incorporate formal and informal seating areas for
picnicking and view-gazing.
East Entrance to the Park
View over Half-moon Bench, looking
East
Executive Summary

15
I. Introduction
Tufts UEP Team
Anna Cantell, Mbacke Faye, Elizabeth Gohringer, and
Elise Simons, four MA candidates at Tufts University in
the Field Projects course of the Urban and Environ-
mental Policy and Planning (UEP) department, make
up the Johnson Park Field Project Team. The team
worked collaboratively on park research, committee
interviews, and community engagement, as well as
the design process and recommendations.
Client
Swampscott Director of Community Development S.
Peter Kane proposed the Johnson Park Design Project
to Tufts University. The Swampscott Open Space &
Recreation Plan Committee, Historical Commission,
Municipal Design Committee, and Planning Board were
all key stakeholders in the research and design pro-
cess.
Project Background
Swampscott is a 3.01 square mile coastal town with
4.3 miles of highly economically and culturally valua-
ble coastal shoreline. This shoreline includes Johnson
Park, a one acre area of open space abutting a popu-
lar beach in a residential neighborhood. Once the
front lawn of a resort hotel, the park has become an
under-maintained lawn with concrete and stone frag-
ments from the former hotel’s swimming pool. Besides
being aesthetically underwhelming, the park does not
function as a usable or welcoming community space.
Though neighbors do not want their view blocked,
they do regret the lack of any sort of shade, seating,
or recreation within the park. The nearby parking lot
Swampscott Facts
 Date settled: 1629
 Date of Founding: 1852
 Size: 3.01 mi2
 Distance from Boston: 13
miles
 Population: 13,787
 Demographics: 94% white
 Median Age: 44
 Median Household Income:
$93,000
Figure 1. Field Project Team in John-
son Park (Anna Cantell, April 2016)
Introduction

16
is difficult to find or access, while the pathways with-
in the park lack direction or cohesion. During storms,
the seawall does not adequately protect the park or
neighborhood from floods. Due to these issues, and
the town’s commitment in its 2013 Open Space and
Recreation Plan to revitalizing and improving the
town’s open spaces, the Town of Swampscott ap-
proached the Urban and Environmental Policy and
Planning department at Tufts University to develop a
proposal for a new and improved Johnson Park.
Project Goals
The main goal of the project was to develop a park
design proposal for the Swampscott Planning Depart-
ment. The Field Project Team was asked to consider
existing conditions, environmental context, neighbor-
hood preferences, and the needs of the community in
the establishment of a new and improved design for
Johnson Park in Swampscott. While some general rec-
ommendations were made for improving access to the
nearby parking lot and beach, the focus of the design
proposal was on the one-acre site of Johnson Park.
The Field Project Team considered the following ques-
tions in compiling a design proposal for the one-acre
site of Johnson Park:
 How can we design an environmentally-sustainable
park that also accounts for the wishes and needs of
the community and neighborhood?
 What are the opportunities for flood risk mitigation
and environmental sustainability in the park?
 How can we address and increase park accessibil-
ity?
Introduction

17
 Which recreational or cultural facilities are most
desired by the community and can they be provid-
ed at the park?
 How can the varying desires of the community be
best incorporated into one cohesive design?
Methodology
The design process began with a review of literature
and resources relevant to Swampscott and Johnson
Park, followed by meetings and interviews with town
committees and board members, in order to learn
about the park and the needs of the town (Chapter
II). Research continued with a literature review of
coastal park design considerations and park prece-
dents to be used as design models (Chapter III).
On March 10, 2016, the Field Project Team and Client
co-led a community meeting at the Swampscott High
School to engage the Swampscott community and
Johnson Park neighborhood in the design process. On
April 20, 2016, the Team met with the Client and rep-
resentatives of several Swampscott town committees
to review the park design in more detail. While
providing usable community open space, improving
park accessibility and mobility for all ages, and ensur-
ing a low-cost, low-maintenance, and aesthetically-
pleasing design were priorities of the Client, major
concerns of the community included preserving the
ocean view and beach access, creating an open and
attractive gathering space, and mitigating flood risks
from the park’s proximity to the ocean. Feedback
from each group was integrated into the final design.
Chapter IV discusses the community engagement pro-
cess in more detail.
Introduction

18
The final design was modeled using SketchUp soft-
ware; images from the model and accompanying text
recommendations can be found in Chapter V. Addi-
tional research and information on coastal water man-
agement techniques and regulations, green infrastruc-
ture strategies, soil quality and vegetation options,
accessibility, funding sources, and feedback from the
Town of Swampscott have been detailed in the re-
port’s Appendix.
Introduction

19
II. Site Description
The Story of Johnson Park
Swampscott is a 17th century coastal town 13 miles
north of Boston (Figure 2a), with a population of
13,787 as of 2010. The heart of Swampscott is its 4.3
miles of coastal shoreline, including beaches, down-
town esplanades, and residential neighborhoods with
lovely coastal views.
Coastal open spaces, such as Johnson Park (Figure
2b), have been given special priority for rehabilitation
and improvement by the Town of Swampscott, due to
their community importance. The Town’s 2013 Open
Space & Recreation Plan specifically emphasizes
maintaining, improving, and expanding open space
and recreation facilities, especially in coastal areas,
as they are central to the Town’s identity, health,
and environmental sustainability.
Johnson Park’s history and current recreational popu-
larity makes it an iconic element of the Swampscott
landscape. Issues with the park’s accessibility and cir-
culation, coastal flooding, and lack of vegetative vari-
ety or aesthetic appeal were identified and then ad-
dressed over the course of the project.
The following chapter is an overview of the relevant
history, context, and culture of the park space today,
including its accessibility, coastal environment, recre-
ational uses, and existing vegetation. This chapter fo-
cuses on the elements of the park that should be pre-
served, improved, or changed; subsequent chapters
will explore techniques for achieving these objec-
tives.
Figure 2b. Johnson Park in Swamp-
scott (GIS, Mbacke Faye)
Figure 2a. Swampscott in relation to
Boston (Google Maps)
Figure 3. Johnson Park between Puri-
tan Road and New Ocean House
Beach; the Half-moon Bench is in the
center of the image, in white
(Mbacke Faye, Google Earth, Febru-
ary 2016)
Site Description

20
Johnson Park Today
Johnson Park, a one-acre coastal park in a residential
neighborhood, is a 15-minute walk from the town cen-
ter. The park abuts the popular New Ocean House
Beach on one side and residential homes on the other
(Figure 3). It is a highly valued piece of public open
space for Swampscott residents due to its popular
beach, lovely views of the ocean, and quiet residen-
tial location.
While New Ocean House Beach is a popular summer-
time destination, the park itself is barren, under-
maintained, and in need of rejuvenation. Once part
of the popular New Ocean House Beach Resort Hotel,
it is now a flat expanse of mowed grass, with one his-
toric structure (an all-white Half-moon Bench), and no
trees, shrubs, or any other vegetation. The park is no-
table for its disconnected slabs of pavement, worn
down pathways, and lack of vegetative variety. The
Half-moon Bench itself, a proud symbol of the town’s
history, is crumbling and in need of repair (Figures 4a-
d).
Historical Context
Swampscott’s long and rich history has heavily influ-
enced the local community that enjoys Johnson Park
today. Previously inhabited by the Naumkeags, a sub-
group of the Pawtucket Tribe, the area was one of the
earliest European settlements in 1629. During the 18th
and 19th
centuries, booming fishing and shoe manufac-
turing industries fueled the town’s growth.
Figure 4a. Random slabs of pavement
in Johnson Park (Elise Simons, April
2016)
Figure 4b. Path along the western
edge of the park, looking south (Elise
Simons, April 2016)
Figure 4c. Lack of vegetative variety
(Elise Simons, April 2016)
Figure 4d. Close-up of Half-moon
Bench (Elise Simons, April 2016)
Site Description

21
Swampscott transitioned into an elite summer resort
community in the mid-19th century (DCR 2005). By
this time, the North Shore of Massachusetts had be-
come a resort destination for many wealthy and influ-
ential guests. Swampscott became a popular location
for the resort hotel industry because of its proximity
to Boston. Johnson Park has special historical signifi-
cance as the former location of a grand summertime
resort hotel called New Ocean House (Figure 5).
The first New Ocean House was built in 1835 on Phil-
lips Point in Swampscott. The hotel was an elite, luxu-
rious destination that received patrons from around
the country and throughout the world. The town of
Swampscott experienced an influx of wealthy resi-
dents who built summer mansions, and the hotel be-
came a centerpiece to Swampscott’s cultural identity.
The hotel burned three times; the last New Ocean
House Resort Hotel was built in 1884 following two
previous fires in 1864 and 1882. Its beachfront lawn,
swimming pool, and shaded pergola would one day be-
come the site of Johnson Park (Figure 6).
By the mid-20th
century, the town of Swampscott had
become a quiet, coastal suburb (DCR 2005). When the
last New Ocean House Resort Hotel burnt down in
1969, the Town of Swampscott purchased the beach-
front property in order to preserve it as open space
for the community, renaming the park after prominent
local resident Richard B. Johnson (Town of Swamp-
scott Open Space & Recreation Plan 2013).
Because of the historical and cultural importance of
what remains of the New Ocean House Resort Hotel to
the Swampscott community, Swampscott residents
and committees voiced strong support for restoring
the Half-moon Bench and exploring ways to honor and
commemorate the park’s history, as described in
Chapter V.
Figure 5. New Ocean House Resort
Hotel, Swampscott, MA (NOBLE Digi-
tal Heritage)
Figure 6. The beachfront lawn of the
New Ocean House Resort Hotel,
which would one day become Johnson
Park (Swampscott Historical Commis-
sion)
Site Description

22
Open Space & Recreation
As Swampscott is a largely built-out town with limited
open space, public spaces like Johnson Park are in
high demand. Swampscott’s most recent Open Space
& Recreation Plan (2013) identified the maintenance,
expansion, and improvement of open green space and
recreational areas as one of the town’s top priorities.
In keeping with the goals of the Plan, the redesign of
Johnson Park will lead to improved beach access,
more ocean views, increased recreation opportuni-
ties, and a space that embodies the town’s aesthetic
and character.
Johnson Park is a popular destination for passive rec-
reation activities, such as biking, jogging, walking,
picnicking, dog walking, and view-gazing. Due to its
small size, it is unlikely to become a destination for
more active recreation (including playgrounds, since
one is already being considered at neighboring Polis-
son Park or Phillips Park). Instead, the design for
Johnson Park should prioritize improving beach ac-
cess, encouraging passive recreation, and creating a
more aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable space.
The town seawall separates Johnson Park from New
Ocean House Beach, also referred to as Eiseman’s
Beach, which is a popular destination on summer
weekends for swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers
(Figure 7a, b, and c). According to the Swampscott
Recreation Department, which provides a lifeguard
each summer, the beach is popular for families be-
cause it is quieter and calmer than other beaches in
Swampscott (Open Space & Recreation Plan 2013).
Revitalizing Johnson Park with improved access, and
additional amenities will allow beachgoers to find
even more enjoyment in the space.
Figure 7a, b, and c. View of the sea-
wall and New Ocean House Beach,
looking east (top, middle) and west
(bottom) (Anna Cantell & Elise Si-
mons, April 2016)
Site Description

23
Perhaps the most popular attraction at Johnson Park is
the open scenic view of the ocean. Ocean views are a
key element of Swampscott’s identity, a major attrac-
tion for residents, businesses, and visitors, and a boon
for the Swampscott community’s overall quality of
life. It is due to the economic and cultural value of
these ocean vistas that the Town of Swampscott has
made preservation of coastal public open space a pri-
ority (Open Space & Recreation Plan 2013). Maintain-
ing the open view of the ocean is therefore a key driv-
er in the design process.
Accessibility
Pathways and Connections
Accessibility issues are a critical element of Johnson
Park’s current state. Existing conditions include inter-
rupted pathways and broken pavement (Figure 8). A
large amount of pavement directly behind the seawall
and in front of the Half-moon Bench has broken off
into large chunks, revealing the original stone pavers
beneath (Figure 9). Additionally, the existing path-
ways in the park are narrow and do not allow two visi-
tors to pass each other side-by-side comfortably.
These issues create an obstacle for visitors with mobil-
ity issues, wheelchairs, walkers, or strollers. Accord-
ing to the Swampscott Open Space & Recreation Plan
(2013), over 50% of the community is 45 years or old-
er, and the median age is increasing. It is therefore
important to account for this age group in the design
of open spaces, and this includes providing wheelchair
-friendly pathways and ample seating.
Handicap accessibility is an issue of great concern.
Currently, the only access points to the beach from
the park is by way of two old staircases, which clearly
Figure 8. Interrupted pathway in
Johnson Park (Elise Simons, April
2016)
Figure 9. Broken Pavement, John-
son Park (Elise Simons, December
2015)
Site Description

24
are not handicap-friendly. Parking is not allowed on
Puritan Road, posing a challenge to someone who may
not be able to walk for long distances, and the narrow,
interrupted pathways mentioned above do not meet
ADA standards.
Walking and biking are both important travel modes
for Johnson Park visitors. There is a pedestrian cross-
ing on Puritan Road, connecting the park to the nearby
parking lot (Figure 10). Puritan Road does have side-
walks on both sides of the street. During site visits,
families, joggers, and dog-walkers were all observed
utilizing the sidewalks while approaching the park.
Many joggers enjoy making a quick loop around the
park while taking in the ocean views before continuing
down the street.
The existing bike racks at the park are unsightly; they
are covered in rust and do not create a welcoming
place to lock up one’s bike (Figure 11). Recent town
surveys and planning documents have illustrated that
walking and biking are very important to the residents
of Swampscott, so bike racks and paths should be a
priority (Swampscott Community Survey: Results and
Analysis 2012 and Open Space & Recreation Plan
2013).
There are no public restrooms at Johnson Park, nor
within close walking distance of the park.
Phillips Park Parking Lot
An unpaved parking lot off of Humphrey Street, known
as the Phillips Park Parking Lot, is available for motor-
ists to use when driving to the park or beach (Figure
12a, next page). Unfortunately, there is no signage in
the parking lot indicating the direction to Johnson
Park, nor is there signage at Johnson Park to indicate
Figure 11. Bike Rack at Johnson Park
(Elise Simons, December 2015)
Figure 10. View looking west; cross-
walk across Puritan Road leads to
path along wooden fence to Phillips
Park Parking Lot (Google Street
Views, April 2016)
Site Description

25
that there is a parking lot nearby. In order to access
Johnson Park from the parking lot, visitors must walk
down a very uneven and multi-pronged pathway, offi-
cially known as the New Ocean House Footpath, that
is a mixture of dirt, gravel and tree roots (Figure 12b).
Navigating a wheelchair or stroller on this pathway
from the parking lot to the beach would be nearly im-
possible. The Town of Swampscott’s Open Space &
Recreation Plan paints a very clear picture of the
challenges this pathway presents to visitors:
“A winding footpath through scrub vegetation
on slightly undulating terrain makes up this
right-of-way. The path runs from Puritan Road
to Humphrey Street and was originally part of
the New Ocean House grounds. Largely hidden,
it is a pedestrian cut through from Phillips Park
to the beach. Comprised of low spots and wet
areas, there is trash and debris found strewn
through (out the) area since it is not main-
tained.” (Open Space & Recreation Plan 2013,
72)
Figure 12a. Aerial view of the path-
way between Johnson Park and the
Phillips Park Parking Lot (Google
Earth with graphics, Mbacke Faye,
February 2016)
Figure 12b. Footpath to Phillips Park
Parking Lot (Tufts Team, April 2016)
Site Description

26
The parking lot is adjacent to the Swampscott High
School athletic fields and is used for spectator parking
during games. The lot is not level and is prone to
flooding during heavy rain, particularly near the en-
trance to the path to the park.
Beach parking in Phillips Park Parking Lot is not free;
visitors must obtain a beach parking sticker in ad-
vance. Rules and prices vary based on resident versus
nonresident status ("Swampscott Beach Parking Stick-
ers" 2016).
Coastal Environment
Seawall & New Ocean House Beach
New Ocean House Beach, also referred to as Eiseman’s
Beach, is separated from the abutting Johnson Park by
a seawall. The neighborhood abutting Johnson Park
has reported that the seawall does not sufficiently
prevent flooding of the park and neighborhood during
winter storms (Figure 13a and b). A risk assessment
study conducted by Kleinfelder, an environmental
consultant group, indicated that the current seawall,
most likely built in the early 20th century, is increas-
ingly vulnerable to coastal flooding for the year 2030
and 2070 due to potential sea level rise from climate
change projections (Kleinfelder 2015). With park and
town flooding already occurring and likely to increase
over the next decades, it is important to consider
coastal ecology and flood mitigation in the new design
of Johnson Park. See Appendix A for more information
on coastal flooding issues related to Johnson Park.
Figure 13a and b. Coastal Storms
blast over the seawall and reach the
Half-moon Bench in Winter 2015
(Courtesy of a Puritan Road Resi-
dent)
Site Description

27
Figure 14. The Johnson Park Lawn
(Mbacke Faye, April 2016)
Vegetation
Johnson Park is a flat, one-acre expanse of lawn, with
no trees, shrubs, or small plants that could provide
shade, habitat, or food for wildlife (Figure 14). The
soil quality is uncertain, but assumed to be relatively
poor (for more on Johnson Park soils, see Appendix
D). Since most of the area surrounding the Park is oc-
cupied by single-family homes with abundant trees
and shrubs, the absence of flora in Johnson Park
makes it stand out as a visual and ecological contrast
to its surroundings. The Johnson Park design proposal
recommends plantings that are ecologically beneficial
and appropriate for New England coastal sites, as well
as historically evocative of the New Ocean House Re-
sort Hotel.
Conclusion
The history, context, and culture of the park space
today, including its accessibility, coastal environ-
ment, recreational uses, and existing vegetation, is
crucial to understand in order to design a park that is
environmentally sensitive, historically commemora-
tive, and in keeping with the character of the com-
munity. The goal of this design project is to create an
improved recreational space that is appropriate and
relevant to the needs of Swampscott, so that Swamp-
scott residents will want to use it. The next chapter
explores coastal park design strategies that balance
the needs of the people with the environmental
needs of the space.
Site Description

29
In examining the current conditions of Johnson Park
and its surroundings, as discussed in the previous
chapter, the Team identified four major elements of
the park that necessitated further research:
1. Addressing coastal and environmental is-
sues, including flooding and lack of environ-
mentally appropriate vegetation
2. Commemorating the historical and cultural
context of the space, including the New
Ocean House Resort Hotel and Half-moon
Bench
3. Improving accessibility and opportunities
for passive recreation, including pathways
and seating areas
4. Engaging the community in the design and
creation of an aesthetically pleasing, cohe-
sive, and enjoyable community space
Our research methodology in addressing these four
major topics included repeated interviews with sever-
al Swampscott Committees as well as a Community
Meeting, all of which are discussed in Chapter IV.
Additionally, the team conducted an extensive review
of coastal park design strategies and literature to in-
form the design process. More extensive research re-
sults on coastal park design strategies are available in
the Appendices; this chapter summarizes our re-
search.
Research into these four main elements was aided by
the identification and study of several “park prece-
dents,” or parks of similar location, context, aesthet-
ic, or design need to Johnson Park, as identified on
the left. These precedents informed the final design,
III. Coastal Park Design Precedents
Research Elements:
1. Coastal Concerns
 Park Precedent: Beach Bluff
Park, Swampscott, MA
2. History and Culture
 Park Precedent: Eastern
Promenade, Portland, ME
3. Improving Accessibility
 Park Precedent: Ashland
State Park, MA
4. Community Engagement
& Aesthetics
 Park Precedent: Lawn on D,
Boston, MA
 Park Precedent: Burlington,
VT
 Park Precedent: Pleasure
Beach, Bridgeport, CT
Coastal Park Design Precedents

30
and have been integrated into the chapter as design
examples for each of the four major research ele-
ments. While some precedents, such as Burlington, VT
and the Eastern Promenade, overlapped multiple re-
search elements, they have been grouped into the
most relevant category for this chapter.
Coastal Concerns
Many parks have been designed only for aesthetic and
recreational pleasure, with little attention paid to the
ecological health of the landscape. However, more
recent design techniques have embraced the reali-
zation that aesthetic design rules are only relevant
after a space’s underlying ecological needs are ac-
counted for (Hough 1995). A successful and environ-
mentally sustainable park, especially in a volatile loca-
tion such as a coastline, attends to the environmental
needs of the landscape.
According to the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone
Management (CZM), storms and tides make the Massa-
chusetts coastline a constantly shifting landscape,
which leaves coastal parks prone to storm damage,
erosion, and flooding, even when seawalls are present.
CZM’s series of StormSmart Coasts Factsheets detail
how ecologically attentive landscaping, including the
use of rain gardens and the minimization of lawn
space, can stabilize and mitigate flooding of coastal
banks while providing a buffer against ocean pollution
and contamination, creating a wildlife habitat for
coastal birds and wildlife, and lessening park mainte-
nance (StormSmart Coasts 2009). In 2014, the US EPA
released a green infrastructure handbook to help mu-
nicipalities plan for coastal stormwater management
in Massachusetts (USEPA 2014). See Appendices A, B,
and C for more information on coastal flooding and
stormwater management, coastal regulations, and
green infrastructure.

31
Precedent for Coastal Concerns:
Beach Bluff Park, Swampscott, MA
Beach Bluff Park, located approximately two miles
from Johnson Park in Swampscott, provides a good ex-
ample of a park designed for Swampscott’s unique
coastal environment. Similar to Johnson Park, Beach
Bluff Park is situated along the Atlantic Ocean and ex-
periences frequent coastal storms. To address this is-
sue, the Clifton Improvement Association has incorpo-
rated a new revetment wall to withstand varying lev-
els of wave energy, especially during winter storms,
to protect the park (Figure 15a). The association also
planted vegetation, such as beach grasses, suitable for
withstanding coastal flooding and storm impacts. An-
other important design element of this park relevant
to the Tufts Team project is the inclusion of meander-
ing walkways and benches that encourage quiet enjoy-
ment of the ocean (Clifton Improvement Association
2015) (Figure 15b).
History and Culture
Historically, many coastal parks were designed with
broad lawns and boulevards directly abutting the
beach line. The cultural appreciation of a handsome
park from which to enjoy a stunning ocean vista often
superseded any attention to the ecological needs of
the area. While maintaining the environmental health
of a park is important, especially by a beach, it is
equally important to balance that ecological sensitivi-
ty with respect for the historical and cultural context
that the park carries. Johnson Park is not Beach Bluff
Park; our goal was to design an environmentally mind-
ful park space, but also to remain true to the histori-
cal layout of the park, including tile paving, straight
paths, and the Half-moon Bench.
Figure 15a. Revetment Wall at
Beach Bluff Park (Tufts Team,
April 2016)
Figure 15b. Beach Bluff Park Plant-
ings & Walkway (Clifton Improve-
ment Association)

32
Precedent for History and Culture:
Eastern Promenade, Portland, ME
The Eastern Promenade (“the Prom”) is a 68-acre
oceanfront park adjacent to the residential Munjoy Hill
in Portland, ME (Figure 16a). Though significantly larg-
er and more urban than Johnson Park, it is similar in
both design and context: a grassy expanse of histori-
cally and culturally important open space abutting a
popular beach and a residential neighborhood. Similar
to Swampscott’s goals for Johnson Park, the City of
Portland recently rehabilitated the Eastern Promenade
to increase accessibility, provide more open space for
“passive recreation,” and evoke the historic Eastern
Promenade design of the early 20th
century (Eastern
Promenade Master Plan 2004). The plan is a useful re-
source for the rehabilitation of historic coastal parks.
Portland’s approach to redesigning Fort Allen Park on
the eastern edge of the Prom, for example, provided
insight into creating a 21st
century park that echoes
the space’s historical design while also appealing to
the modern aesthetic and providing opportunities for
outdoor recreation (Figure 16b and c).
Improving Accessibility
Since many Swampscott residents, whether they are
handicapped, elderly, or babies in strollers, depend on
wheel-accessible spaces, our review included a search
for coastal parks that integrate wheelchair access. The
ADA has specifications for path widths and grades (ADA
Standards for Accessible Design 2010). While Johnson
Park is relatively flat, ADA standards do specify that
paths should be level, smooth, and no steeper than
1:20 inches (5% grade). This limits usable materials for
Figure 16a. Map of the Eastern Prom-
enade (Eastern Promenade Map and
Guide)
Figure 16b. Fort Allen, 1891
(Eastern Promenade Master Plan
2004)
Figure 16c. Fort Allen Park, Present
Day (Google Maps, February 2016)

33
pathways, as many commonly-used permeable coastal
materials (gravel, shells, etc.) would not be appropri-
ate. The ADA also specifies a minimum of 36-inch
widths per lane (for a public path, 72 inches or more
to allow for two-way traffic). Since the Town of
Swampscott may also need to use the paths for
maintenance vehicles, a 9 ft. minimum width was re-
quested by Director of Community Development Peter
Kane. See Appendix G for more details.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and
Recreation lists parks and beaches that have already
made great strides in increasing accessibility through
the incorporation of ramped beach entrances, con-
crete viewing platforms, and beach wheelchairs
(Figure 17a) (“Accessible Beaches” 2016). Ashland
State Park, for example, provides platforms for ocean
viewing and a ramp to the ocean (Figure 17b).
Community Engagement
& Aesthetics
A park designed for a community must reflect that
community’s needs, interests, and sense of style. In-
teracting with key community representatives, stake-
holders, government and community groups, and the
community itself is a crucial element of the design
process. Swampscott committee and community mem-
bers had strong and sometimes varied opinions about
the best uses and aesthetics for Johnson Park, as de-
tailed in Chapter V.
To give a hint of the Swampscott community’s aes-
thetic preferences, Director of Community Develop-
ment Peter Kane referred us to the Lawn on D (Figure
18), a highly interactive and recreational urban park
Figure 17a. Wheelchair-accessible
beach (MassParks)
Figure 17b. Ashland State Park, MA
is considered a wheelchair-
accessible beach because of its ramp
and concrete platform at the
water’s edge (MassParks)
Figure 18. Lawn on D (Project for
Public Spaces)

34
in Boston. While the moveable games and lawn furni-
ture would be destroyed or damaged by coastal wind
and rain, the large recreational lawn, picnic area with
temporary covering, and large paths for strolling pro-
vided some inspiration for the design process. Such
recommendations provided a picture of the aesthetic
preferences of the Swampscott community.
Precedent for Community Engagement &
Aesthetics: Town of Burlington, VT
Burlington, VT provides a strong example of a small,
New England city that has undergone city-wide, parks-
specific master plans within the past three years. The
comprehensive approach that Burlington applied to
evaluating its open space and other community re-
sources is a useful resource for others performing com-
munity engagement work. Reading through the Burling-
ton Bike Path Plan offered a view into what inspired
their own design process. Images in the plan (Figure 19
a - c) informed certain aspects of the redesign for
Johnson Park (City of Burlington 2015). Materials such
as the weathered wood in the benches and raised bed
gardens provide a similar aesthetic visual style to what
is being proposed for elements in the redesign for
Johnson Park. Furthermore, it is important to see Bur-
lington’s examples of the various uses of edges outlin-
ing and delineating different spaces as part of the
Johnson Park visioning process.
Figure 19c. Native Riparian Plantings
(City of Burlington 2015)
Figure 19a. Weathered metal
benches (City of Burlington 2015)
Figure 19b. Native Riparian Plant-
ings (City of Burlington 2015)

35
Figure 20. Images of gathering spac-
es from Pleasure Beach Park,
Bridgeport, CT (Stantec Consulting)
Precedent for Community Engagement &
Aesthetics: Pleasure Beach, Bridgeport, CT
Pleasure Beach Park is the largest portion of the Con-
necticut barrier beach peninsula, and as such is sur-
rounded on three sides by water. Pleasure Beach Park
is different in terms of site shape and land structure
from Johnson Park, but they both share the goal of
meeting community’s needs by incorporating different
types of outdoor gathering spaces. Pleasure Beach in-
cludes an open-lawn gathering pavilion, playground,
and picnic area, with shade and partial shade cano-
pies, in order to provide an array of gathering loca-
tions in different areas of the park (Figure 20). In the
same sense, Johnson Park envisions creating different
gathering spaces to reinforce community interac-
tion while in the site.
Conclusion
All the coastal parks studied for this project empha-
sized the importance of reflecting the needs of the
community in the park design, in order to ensure that
the park would serve its purpose and be effectively
woven into the community fabric. As explored in the
next chapter, most of the design process focused not
on examining other parks and communities, but on
consulting with stakeholders and residents for the
community most relevant to this park: the Town of
Swampscott.

37
The previous chapter details the four main research
elements that most informed the design process for
Johnson Park: coastal environment, historical context,
accessibility, and designing for the community. The
fourth element, community engagement, requires
more than research of literature or park precedents;
it requires active engagement with town stakeholders
and the greater community. This chapter details the
community engagement process that took place over
the course of the semester.
Engagement with the Town of Swampscott and the
Swampscott community was a crucial element of the
design process. Interviews and meetings with town
committees and board members informed the park
design process and made a thorough review of the site
and related literature, much of which was provided by
the Town, possible. A community meeting in March,
and the process leading up to it, actively engaged the
community and encouraged participation in the design
process. A final meeting with several town committee
representatives in April led to a final design for the
project. This chapter details how, in addition to more
general research, the expertise of Swampscott resi-
dents and stakeholders informed the final design.
IV. Community Engagement Process
April 20
Final
Committee
Meeting
March 10
Community
Meeting
February
10
Open Space
Committee
February
28
Visited park
abutters
Historical
Commission
March 1 March 7
Beautification
Committee
February
22
Planning
Board
Municipal
Design
Committee
April 6
Department
of Recreation
Disability
Commission
Figure 21. Timeline of Community Engagement for Johnson Park (Tufts Team)
Community Engagement Process

38
Committee Meetings and
Interviews
Beginning in February 2016, the Field Project Team
reached out to the Swampscott Open Space & Recrea-
tion Plan Committee, Historical Commission, Municipal
Design Committee, and Planning Board in order to
glean recommendations and ideas on what the town
committees considered most relevant, doable, and po-
tentially beneficial to the community if implemented
in Johnson Park. Additionally, team members reached
out to the Swampscott Disability Commission, Recrea-
tion Department, Harbor and Waterfront Advisory
Committee, and Public Works Department for further
advice on park design decisions.
The Swampscott town committees expressed the most
interest in restoring the Half-moon Bench, providing
shade and seating, improving park signage, adding a
bathroom, and providing handicap parking. Various
committee members also suggested improved vegeta-
tion, planting beds, picnic spaces, green infrastruc-
ture, a foot washing station, moveable lawn furniture,
and a shade pergola. More detailed recommendations
and notes from these meetings are listed in Appendix
F. While some of these recommendations were not im-
plementable (moveable lawn furniture, for example,
could easily be carried away by wind or rain), many of
these suggestions became major focal points of the
park design. Because committee members had a more
thorough understanding of the current park culture —
the importance to Swampscott parents of having a
bathroom on-site and not in the nearby parking lot, for
example — they were best suited to guide, redirect,
veto, or approve our design concepts.

39
On April 20th, the Field Project Team presented the
preliminary design proposal for Johnson Park to Direc-
tor of Community Development Peter Kane and repre-
sentatives from the Board of Selectmen, Open Space &
Recreation Plan Committee, Historical Commission,
Municipal Design Committee, Disability Commission,
and Recreation Department. Their feedback on the de-
sign draft was incorporated into the final design pro-
posal, as seen in Chapter V.
Community Meeting
Preparation
From the beginning, it was clear that conducting a
community meeting in conjunction with the Town of
Swampscott was essential to the design process. It was
important that the interests of the community be re-
flected in the final design, and that community mem-
bers felt some attachment to and ownership of the de-
sign process. The community meeting was an oppor-
tunity to hear directly from local stakeholders and res-
Figure 22b. Some of the neighbors
visited in preparation for the Com-
munity Meeting, highlighted in or-
ange (Courtesy of Pete Kane, Febru-
ary 2016)
Figure 22a. Community Meeting
Flyer (Tufts Team)

40
idents of Swampscott about community needs, wishes,
and aesthetic preferences.
In preparation for this event, a flyer advertising the
meeting was posted on the Town of Swampscott web-
site and community Facebook group “For the Love of
Swampscott” (Figure 22a, see previous page). The
Field Project Team visited Swampscott on February
28th
, 2016 and personally invited residents that live
directly around Johnson Park to the community meet-
ing (Figure 22b, see previous page). Through this pro-
cess, the Team made contact with the park abutters
and gave them an opportunity to voice any concerns
about potential changes to the park, in case they were
not able to attend the meeting directly. A flyer was
left at each home with details about the community
meeting and who to contact for more information; the
flyer was also posted at local stores on Humphrey
Street and in Vinnin Square. Overall, the Field Project
Team visited approximately 24 houses and spoke with
seven residents about their preferences for the park
design. The in-person conversations that took place
were very affirmative of certain park design elements
already mentioned by other stakeholders, such as im-
proving the landscaping, restoring the Half-moon
Bench, and preserving the view of the ocean.
Process
The Johnson Park community meeting took place on
March 10th
, 2016, at the Swampscott High School, fa-
cilitated by the Tufts UEP team and attended by ap-
proximately 40 residents. Peter Kane, Swampscott Di-
rector of Community Development, provided a brief
introduction of the project to participants, who then
broke into small groups to brainstorm design ideas and
requests for Johnson Park (Figure 23a). After about 25
minutes of group discussion, a member of each group
presented their ideas to the entire room (Figure 23b).
Figure 23b. Swampscott Residents
present their thoughts at Communi-
ty Meeting (Courtesy of Peter Kane,
March 2016)
Figure 23a. Swampscott Residents
brainstorm at Community Meeting
(Courtesy of Peter Kane, March
2016)

41
A question and answer period followed the group
presentations. Overall, the community meeting was a
successful event that allowed the residents of Swamp-
scott to participate in shaping the final design pro-
posal. The feedback from the community was integral
to the generation of the final design (Figure 23c).
Community Meeting Results
The community meeting highlighted many of the com-
mon concerns among Swampscott residents (Table 1,
see page 43), including the desire for a public re-
stroom and a washing area for removing beach sand.
The addition of low-level plantings was a popular sug-
gestion, although residents voiced their concern about
the ability of the town to maintain plants adequately.
Residents were especially worried about extreme
storms which do cause the park, as well as Puritan
Figure 23c. Word Cloud based on
Community Meeting brainstorming
presentations (Wordle.net)

42
Road, to flood. Several attendees mentioned that a
significant environmental condition at Johnson Park is
the risk of flooding from coastal storms; one partici-
pant even brought photographs. Therefore, any pro-
posed design plans for Johnson Park will need to incor-
porate elements that can accommodate and withstand
the impacts of coastal flooding, such as salt-tolerant
vegetation and bolted picnic benches that can’t be
washed away.
Benches, picnic tables, and additional gathering spac-
es were mentioned frequently. The majority of groups
also wanted the park to remain largely open space,
because it is so widely used by families with young
children who like to play there. The idea of adding a
playground had mixed support, but the town is already
considering a playground just down the street at near-
by Polisson Park or Phillips Park. At least two groups
wanted to see the Half-moon Bench restored with a
historical plaque; only one suggested it be removed.
Issues around accessibility and safety were two other
common themes, with many groups mentioning the
need for improved pathways both in the park itself and
leading to the parking lot. The need for overall im-
proved wheelchair accessibility was mentioned several
times. Groups also liked the idea of adding a knee wall
along the street side of the park, to provide a low-
level barrier between children and the road while re-
directing flood waters back to the ocean.

43
Table1.CommunityMeetingResults(TuftsTeam)

44
Brainstorming:
Bringing it all together
After weeks of research, interviews, and community
consultation, the Field Project Team began compiling
ideas into a cohesive plan following the Swampscott
Community Meeting. Early brainstorming sessions in-
volved reviewing committee interview notes, reading
through feedback from the community meeting, and
creating sketches of potential park designs based on
these ideas (Figure 24a and b). After weeks of re-
peated improvements and drafts, the Field Project
Team began modeling the proposed plan using
SketchUp software. A preliminary SketchUp model
was presented to the Town of Swampscott on April
20; feedback from this meeting was incorporated into
the final SketchUp model, which is presented in
Chapter V.
Figure 24a and b. White board draw-
ing from the team’s first brainstorm-
ing session, March 21, 2016, and a
later design session on April 13 (Elise
Simons, Spring 2016)

45
V. Park Design Recommendations
In April 2016, the Field Project Team compiled all de-
sign ideas from research, interviews, community
meeting feedback, and design brainstorming sessions
to construct a model of the new Johnson Park with
SketchUp software (Figure 25). The following pages
provide a tour of the park design via SketchUp model
images, followed by more detailed explanations of
the design elements.
A Tour of the Park
Phillips Park Parking Lot no longer floods. The puddle
at the entrance to the New Ocean House Footpath has
been filled in, so wheelchair-bound visitors will have
no trouble reaching the path from their handicapped
parking spot. New Ocean House Footpath has been
paved with smooth and permeable white stone dust;
what used to be two crumbling paths is now one
clean, wide path bordered by trees.
Figure 25. Site Plan of Redesigned
Johnson Park
Park Design Recommendations

46
Figure 26a. East Entrance to the Park
You enter the park through the Eastern Path (Figure
26a-b). There is an entrance sign, contributed by the
Swampscott Municipal Design Committee, and a Town
Message Board at the Entrance (Figure 26c-d). The
wide, tiled path is bordered by benches on one side
and flowers on the other (Figure 26e, next page).
The path is shaded by a structure of tensile fabric,
reminiscent of both boat sails and the pergola that
once stood here during the days of the New Ocean
House Resort Hotel. The fabric sheets are removable,
so that the view of the ocean is not permanently ob-
structed, and stretch far enough to provide shade to
the surrounding lawn, where park visitors and beach
goers often like to sit. You can see curved benches
built into the raised bed at the side of the park,
where shrubs and small fruit trees provide gentle
shade.
Look to your left when you reach the seawall, and you
will see a rounded tile patio at the Eastern Beach En-
trance. There is a changing shelter and bathroom in-
side a simple wooden structure, as well as a smaller
wooden pen for the trash and recycling. Though you
Figure 26b. East Entrance to the Park
Figure 26c. Entrance Sign
Figure 26d. Message Board

47
Figure 27a. Changing shelter, bath-
room and eastern beach entrance
can’t see it from here, there is a ramp leading down
to the beach (Figure 27a and b).
Instead of going down to the beach, however, you
turn right, and follow the tile pathway into the picnic
area. The platform is gently raised and scattered with
rounded picnic tables underneath umbrellas (Figure
28). There is a ramp on one side for wheelchairs and
strollers to access, and some of the picnic tables are
wheelchair-accessible as well. Coastal vegetation has
been planted around the curve of the platform, leav-
ing room for a person to exit from the platform onto
the lawn. You sit under the shade of the umbrella,
Figure 26e. View under removable
tensile structures
Figure 27b. Changing shelter, bath-
room and trash and recycling bins
Figure 28. Picnic Area

48
briefly, to watch some children playing kickball on the
lawn, before returning to the main path.
Beyond the picnic area, the Half-moon Bench stands
fully restored, the centerpiece of Johnson Park (Figure
29a-c); lilacs are growing over the edges, reaching
gently toward the people seated on the bench. Behind
the bench is a plaque commemorating its history; a
wide path leads out of the park, bordered with plants.
Beneath your feet is original and restored colorful tile
from the New Ocean House Resort Hotel, running par-
allel to the seawall and stretching from one end of the
park to the other. A jogger passes you on the left; the
pathways in this park make an informal loop around
the park that joggers can enjoy as well as people out
for a stroll.
You have at last reached the Western Side of the park,
where a brightly planted rain garden serves as a catch-
ment area for ocean and rainwater during coastal
storms. In the summer, the rain garden is a pleasant
place to sit, and a reminder of the saltwater pool that
Figure 29a. Half-moon Bench from
the West
Figure 29b. Half-moon Bench from
the main path
Figure 29c. View over Half-moon
Bench, looking East

49
was once a part of this park (Figure 30a). Boulders
reminiscent of the rocky outcroppings of the beach be-
low have been artfully placed around the garden; chil-
dren can play on these, but currently an elderly cou-
ple is sitting on one of the rocks to watch the ocean
waves.
At the western edge of the seawall is one of two en-
trances to the beach; this entrance features a faucet
for washing your feet of sand after a stroll on the
beach, and the water flows from the faucet into the
rain garden (Figure 30b). You run into a friend here
locking up a bike to the park’s bike rack, and the two
of you visit the beach together.
When you emerge from the beach and have washed
your feet of sand, you leave the park by the Western
Path. There are beautiful perennials growing in the
raised bed beside you; rest in one of the curved
benches facing the ocean, and look back upon the
park you have visited (Figure 31). Your view of the
ocean is unobstructed, and you can still smell lilacs on
the breeze. This is Johnson Park.
Figure 30a. Rain Garden
Figure 30b. Washing station and
Western Entrance to the beach
Figure 31. Western Entrance to the
Park

50
Summary of Recommendations
The Field Project Team makes the following major
recommendations to the Town of Swampscott for re-
designing Johnson Park:
 Fully restore the Half-moon Bench with decora-
tive plantings and a historical plaque to com-
memorate the bench’s historical significance.
 Integrate curved spaces and structures wherev-
er possible, to evoke the spirit of the Half-moon
Bench.
 Widen and connect the four pathways in the
park, and restore the original tile pavers, in or-
der to create more inviting park entrances, im-
prove access, and encourage jogging through
the park.
 Create a shaded area over the eastern path and
lawn using removable tensile fabric, reminis-
cent of the historic pergola that once stood
over that path, and install benches underneath.
 Place a rounded, slightly raised, and formalized
picnic area with shade and seating on the East-
ern Side of the park.
 Include a tile patio at the Eastern Beach En-
trance with a bathroom and changing shelter, as
well as a ramp down to the beach.

51
 Install a rain garden on the Western Side of the
park to retain water during storms, and inte-
grate salt-tolerant plants and informal boulder
seating organically into the design; a foot wash-
ing station can flow into the garden from the
Western Beach Entrance.
 Increase signage by moving the message board
to the park entrance and adding a park name
sign from the Municipal Design Committee.
 Place raised beds with rounded benches along
the edges of the park to create shade and pro-
vide seating with views of the ocean.
 Complete a soil test for the park and, according
to the results, select appropriate perennials
and beach grasses for the path borders and pic-
nic area. The vegetated berm along the side-
walk, raised beds, and rain garden will be
planted in new soil.
 Install trash and recycling bins at either side of
the park near the ocean entrances, screened by
wooden shelters. The dog bag dispenser should
be left at the Western Path Entrance.
The remaining sections of this chapter describe in
more detail the components of these recommenda-
tions.

52
Access and Circulation
Site Access
Bike Lanes
Johnson Park is already visited by many bicyclists. The
town plans to add bike lanes on nearby Humphrey
Street, which will likely generate greater overall bike
traffic in the neighborhood. New bike racks should be
installed to accommodate these visitors.
Swampscott’s Open Space & Recreation Plan identifies
the need to create a Green Corridor Network, which
they describe as “a green network...that recreational
walkers and bicyclists, both townspeople and tourists,
can enjoy [including] green connectors to open spac-
es, recreation facilities, beaches and rail trans-
it” (Open Space & Recreation Plan 2013, 85). In ac-
cordance with this goal, it is recommended that
“sharrows” be added to Puritan Road to connect the
dedicated bike lanes on Humphrey Street to Johnson
Park (see appendix G for a discussion of sharrows.)
Phillips Park Parking Lot and New Ocean
House Path
It is strongly recommended that the Town of Swamp-
scott make some improvements to the parking lot in
order to improve access for Johnson Park visitors. The
parking lot should be leveled-out, so that a heavy rain
does not create flooding in the parking lot, and the
town should consider drainage methods to address this
issue. Additionally, the town may choose to pave the
parking lot, in which case there are a myriad of more
environmentally friendly options to consider instead of
asphalt, such as permeable or pervious pavement.

53
The Swampscott Disability Commission recommends
the addition of four handicap-reserved parking spaces,
marked by signs and located as close as possible to the
park pathway (New Ocean House Footpath), to accom-
modate the needs of elderly and handicapped park vis-
itors. It is worth noting that if the parking lot is paved
and striped, ADA standards for accessible design re-
quire that one out of every 25 marked spaces be desig-
nated as handicap accessible ("Accessible Parking |
ADA National Network" 2016).
Finally, the importance of improving the New Ocean
House Footpath, leading from the parking lot to the
park, cannot be over-stated. The current pathway
does not serve the needs of members of the communi-
ty who have mobility issues. The multi-pronged path
should be changed to one path. Choice of materials
will depend on the aesthetic preferences and needs as
determined by the town, especially given the heavy
vegetation and marshy nature of the area. A popular
choice for trails is crushed stone, which can be de-
signed to meet ADA Guidelines (Boone 2016).
Site Circulation
To improve the overall flow and experience of the
park circulation, paths should be widened, connected,
and re-paved. All paths should be wide enough to
comfortably accommodate two people in wheelchairs
side-by-side, as well as occasional maintenance vehi-
cles.
The center pathway, which leads to the Half-moon
Bench, should establish the bench as the focal point of
the park, drawing the rest of the park together; as the
main path, it should be 11’ wide. The original tile path
along the seawall will be fully restored. The two side
paths, 9’ wide, will provide an uninterrupted experi-

54
ence for any user who parks in the Phillips Park Park-
ing Lot, walks down the New Ocean House Footpath,
enters through the Eastern Path, walks to and along
the seawall, and exits by the Western Path. This cre-
ates continuous flow through the park, as well as an
enjoyable jogging loop.
All pathways, the picnic area, and the patio area by
the Eastern Beach Entrance should be paved with the
same material. Town feedback recommended excava-
tion and restoration of the original stone pavers by the
seawall, which are currently covered in asphalt
(Figure 32). New pavers will need to be used for the
side and central pathways, which should resemble the
original pavers as closely as possible. The town should
consult with the Historical Commission around recom-
mendations for restoration of the pavers.
Park Infrastructure and Amenities
The residents of Swampscott expressed a strong desire
for the park to remain mostly open space, and the de-
sign reflects this intention. While much of the park
will remain recreational lawn, the following section
details additions to the park to provide increased seat-
ing, improved accessibility, and a more enjoyable park
experience. This section is divided geographically:
Park Borders, The Eastern Side, Half-moon Bench, and
The Western Side.
Park Borders
To create definition for the space, three of the bor-
ders of the park will be marked with raised, vegetated
plantings: a berm alongside the sidewalk (Figure 33a),
and a raised bed with benches at either side of the
Figure 32. Original tile pavers at
Johnson Park as part of New Ocean
House Resort Hotel (Town of Swamp-
scott Open Space & Recreation Plan
2013)
Figure 33a. Berm Diagram
(Pennsylvania Stormwater Best
Management Practices Manual)

55
park. The fourth border is the seawall between the
park and the beach.
Vegetated Berm
Community meeting attendees expressed some con-
cern about the flooding of the park during coastal
storms, and requested a knee wall be placed along
the entirety of the park to protect the neighborhood
from flooding. However, this significant of a spatial
blockage between the park and the neighborhood is
extreme; it is important that the park still be a part
of the Puritan Road community. Therefore, a vege-
tated berm — a 4 ft. wide and 2 ft. high planting on
the border between the park and the sidewalk — will
serve the same purpose in a more subtle fashion. The
berm is intended to redirect water flow back toward
the ocean. It can also serve as a safety feature, de-
terring children from wandering from the park to the
street.
Raised Beds and Benches
Raised beds with benches are recommended on each
side of the park to create shaded seating with ocean
views for park visitors. The benches should be placed
at an angle to face the ocean, and will curve in mim-
icry of the Half-moon Bench (Figure 33b and c). This
feature was strongly supported by committee repre-
sentatives.
Seawall
Due to the cost of replacement and the sturdiness of
the wall as it is, significant changes to the Seawall
are not recommended. However, we do recommend
the addition of a ramp by the eastern stairs down to
the beach; see Appendix G for ramp details.
Figure 33b. Curved bench with
pleasant vegetative surroundings
(Fotor)
Figure 33c. Raised bed with a
perennial garden and benches
(Houzz)

56
For environmental reasons, it is recommended that
the Town of Swampscott consider eventual replace-
ment of the seawall with a revetment wall when the
current wall is no longer tenable. A revetment wall
made of rocks will address coastal flooding issues and
dissipate wave energy that can lead to erosion (NYC
2013). It should be built at an appropriate angle, as
determined by engineering consultants based on the
park’s local site conditions (Figure 34). Future poten-
tial sea level rise should be considered using the most
up-to-date scientific information available.
The Eastern Side
The Eastern Side of the park includes the entrance
from the parking lot, an entrance sign and message
board, a shaded path with benches, a picnic area, a
bathroom and changing shelter, and a container for
trash and recycling bins.
Figure 34. Revetment Wall Design (Pile Buck)
Figure 35. Entrance Sign (Town of
Swampscott)

57
Entrance Signs
The Municipal Design Committee will be installing a
stone sign proclaiming the park’s name; it is the rec-
ommendation of this team that the entrance sign be
placed at the Eastern entrance to the park (Figure 35,
on previous page). The park’s town message board
should also be moved from the Eastern Beach Entrance
to the Park Entrance where visitors can see it. This
would also be a good location for a sign informing visi-
tors of the nearby Phillips Park parking lot and how
they can access it, including mention of parking per-
mit requirements.
Shading on the Eastern Path
The Eastern Path will be 9’ wide and straight, in ac-
cordance with ADA guidelines, with tile pavers similar
to the original ones by the seawall. The path will be
covered with removable tensile shade structures,
12’x16’ wide, in recognition of the historic pergola
structure from the New Ocean House Resort Hotel
(Figure 36a and b). These can be removed in winter to
allow for more ocean views, while in summer they will
provide shading for the pathway and the grassy area
east of the path, reaching as far as the raised beds, so
visitors can sit in the shade.
Benches
Benches along the eastern side of the Eastern Path
will allow visitors to take advantage of the tensile
shade. It is recommended that the Town of Swamp-
scott use flood resistant material for all benches in
Johnson Park. Latz Partner has designed a bench made
of laminated wood and with a mounted foundation
that can withstand coastal flooding and high winds
(Figure 36c). Vegetation will line the western side of
the path.
Figure 36a. Inspiration of tensile
overhang from New Ocean House Re-
sort Hotel pavilion (Swampscott His-
torical Commission)
Figure 36b. Temporary shading struc-
tures, called “tensiles,” along the
eastern pathway (Miri Piri Sheds and
Structures)
Figure 36c. Flood Bench (Latz Part-
ner)

58
The Picnic Area
The Eastern Path will lead into the picnic area. This
gathering space, made of the same material as the
pathways, will feature rounded picnic tables with
beach umbrellas for shade. A portion of the tables will
be set aside for handicap access and wheelchair use.
There are two potential design options for the picnic
tables: first, cloth umbrellas, which have the benefit
of being removable for cleaning or view enhancement,
mounted to the ground with wooden or polywood ta-
bles (Figure 37a and b). Polywood picnic tables, made
with weather-resistant recycled plastic resin, are envi-
ronmentally friendly, impervious to salt water, and
come in various colors (Figure 37b). Taking into ac-
count strong wind (and sometimes water) exposure in
Johnson Park, picnic tables should be bolted or ce-
mented into the ground.
The second option is to use heavier materials for both
the picnic tables and umbrellas to prevent wind dam-
age. Concrete picnic tables are heavy duty, perma-
nent, and low maintenance (Figure 37c). Durable fi-
Figure 37a. Wooden picnic table
with removable cloth umbrellas
(Eberle’s Produce)
Figure 37b. Polywood picnic table
with removable cloth umbrella
(Houzz)
Figure 37c.Concrete picnic tables (Barco Products)

59
berglass umbrellas are ideal for beach parks; the poles
are powder-coated to prevent rust and corrosion
(Figure 37d-e).
The Changing Area and Bathroom
A small, rounded patio at the Eastern Beach Entrance
will provide visitors with a space to change into and
out of swim gear. It should be made of the same pav-
ers as the pathways. The Swampscott Recreation De-
partment requested a shelter similar in appearance to
outdoor showers found at coastal beach houses (Figure
38). The wooden structure will be 10’x7’, leaving
room for one changing stall and one stall containing a
porta-potty. The porta-potty will be handicap accessi-
ble, and the Eastern Path should be wide enough for a
maintenance truck to reach it. The porta-potty needs
to be cleaned regularly, as flooding during storms
could lead to environmental contamination. In the off-
season, it should be removed entirely. A wooden shel-
ter for trash and recycling, similar in appearance to
the changing shelter, should also be included at the
beach entrance, with a duplicate on the Western Side
of the park; details below.
Figure 38. Outdoor shower, aesthetic
model for changing shelter and bath-
room (Outdoor Showers and Indoor
Showers)
Figure 37e. Wind-resistant fiberglass umbrellas. (Belson Outdoors)
Figure 37d. Wind-resistant fiberglass
umbrellas (Belson Outdoors)

60
The Half-moon Bench
The Half-moon Bench, a last remnant from the New
Ocean House Resort Hotel, is historically significant
for the Town of Swampscott. The Historical Commis-
sion strongly recommended that the Half-moon Bench
be restored, and several community stakeholders con-
curred. Therefore, the Town of Swampscott should
hire a certified historic preservation consultant to
properly repair and restore the Half-moon Bench.
Lilacs should be planted around the back of the bench,
so as to grow over the top of the bench and provide a
pleasant scent to those sitting within; a historical
plaque commemorating the history of the park should
be centered directly behind the bench. The park’s
central path, which should be 11’ wide to establish it
as the main pathway — and the Half-moon Bench as
the Park’s main focal point — will direct visitors to the
back of the Half-moon Bench and circle around it. This
path allows for an expansive view of the ocean, as
well as a chance to read the historical plaque on the
back of the bench. This center pathway acts as a focal
point, as it centers the two sides of the park and leads
to the impressive bench in the middle. The path will
have vegetated borders on either side.
The Western Side
Rain Garden
A simply-designed rain garden can serve as an effec-
tive and sustainable water retention area in times of
flooding (Figure 39a—c). An expert in Green Infrastruc-
ture installation should be consulted to do a water-
shed analysis and site assessment of Johnson Park be-
fore a rain garden of a specific size or location is de-
signed. For now, based on the current slope of the
Figure 39a and b. Rain Garden off
Delano Ave in Kingston, MA, on a
sunny day (top) and after a storm
(bottom) (USEPA 2014)
Figure 39c. A curved strip of stones
around or through the rain garden
increases absorption and improves
the garden’s appearance (Pinterest)

61
park (Figure 40), it can be determined that the West-
ern Side of the park is downslope from the Eastern
Side; added berms and vegetation should define this
slope and direct water flow more clearly, though the
park will remain relatively flat. Ideally, a rain garden
is not placed at the absolute lowest point of the wa-
tershed, but right before it in order to catch water
mid-flow (Clark 2011). The garden should be some-
what circular or kidney-shaped, which is an organic
shape for a rain garden and matches Johnson Park’s
half-moon aesthetic; artfully placed lines of small
stones will give the garden a more natural look and
increase absorption capacity.
Absorbent, high-drainage soil should be brought into
the park; depending on the site conditions, the garden
will require a mixture of coarse gravel, sandy loam,
Figure 40. Contour Lines at Johnson Park (Swampscott GIS Data Portal)

62
and bark mulch, and should be planted with a variety
of salt- and flood-tolerant perennials (MAPC 2007).
The garden should only be waterlogged for a day or so
after rain, and will act as a pleasant garden bed the
rest of the time.
A rain garden serves an environmental purpose, but it
is also a good aesthetic visual — informal boulder seat-
ing (Figure 41) around the rain garden will allow park
visitors to sit and enjoy the tranquil garden and views
of the ocean beyond. The boulders selected should
emulate the rocky outcroppings on the beach, but be
comfortable for sitting. Plantings from the rain garden
and a rocky (water-absorbing) path winding its way
between the stones could help visitors feel they are
sitting in the rain garden itself; at times, the garden
may be a zen-like, reflective space. At other times,
the boulders may also double as a play area for chil-
dren.
Washing Station
At the Western Beach Entrance, a simple water spigot
or fountain should be installed with two faucets: a
higher nozzle that is fashioned as a drinking fountain,
and a lower nozzle for beachgoers to wash sand off of
their feet. An optional third faucet could be fashioned
as a showerhead for full-body rinsing. A gentle rivet in
the path should funnel the water from the spigot to-
ward the rain garden, where it can assist in providing
natural irrigation for the garden.
Bike Racks
New bike racks should be installed in the western cor-
ner of the park near the seawall. The bollard style of
bike rack is an appropriate choice for Johnson Park
(Figure 42). Upgrading the existing bike racks at John-
son Park for new, rust-resistant racks will encourage
Figure 42. Bollard Style Bike Rack
(Tarling 2015)
Figure 41. Informal boulder seating
to place around rain garden, facing
the ocean (Mid-Wales Stone)

63
cyclists to visit the park. The location of the bike
racks allows cyclists to wheel their bikes down the
Western Path from the road and lock them up where
they will be safely out of sight.
Dog Bag Dispenser
The dog bag dispenser at the head of the Western
Path may need to be moved as the path is expanded,
but should be kept at the Western Park Entrance.
Trash and Recycling Bins
A wooden trash and recycling bin shelter at the West-
ern Beach Entrance will keep animals away, prevent
trash overflow, and block unsightly views of garbage in
the park (Figure 43). An identical structure will be
placed at the Eastern Beach Entrance next to the
changing shelter and bathroom. Each trash shelter
should match the changing shelter in color, material,
and design, be large enough to hold both a trash bin
and a recycle bin, and be clearly labeled.
Vegetation
The following section details vegetation recommenda-
tions for park amenities described in the previous sec-
tion, including the two raised beds, sidewalk berm,
rain garden, the Half-moon Bench, and pathways.
Raised Beds
Vegetation
Vegetation recommendations for Johnson Park are
based on resources provided by both Town of Swamp-
Figure 43. Trash and Recycling bins
in wooden shelter to prevent over-
flow and unsightly views of trash
(Pinterest)

64
scott Open Space and Municipal Design Committees,
which show plants that have been in Johnson Park be-
fore and were resistant to the climate conditions of
the site. Vegetation choices are oriented towards the
ability of these plants to mitigate flood risk, demand
less maintenance, and create an aesthetic that will
emphasize the beauty of Johnson Park. Please see Ap-
pendix E for more information about plant species.
Figure 44a. A raised bed of perennials, to bookend the east and west
sides of Johnson Park. (Houzz.)
Raised beds, located at the Eastern and Western Sides
of the park, should be filled with a mix of deciduous
and evergreen perennials and shrubs that will provide
a palette of color, texture, and fragrance during the
different seasons of the year (Figure 44a). Big Blue
(Eryngium) perennial flowers, for example, are seaside
and salt tolerant butterfly attractors (Figure 44b).
Crème Brulée (Coreopsis) is a soft yellow perennial
that does well in coastal gardens; they produce large
flowers that bloom from early summer to fall (Figure
44c). They prefer sunny areas (appropriate on the
Eastern Side of the park) and are easy to grow, making
them a good choice for maintenance reasons.
The perennials can be mixed with evergreen shrubs,
such as shamrock (Ilex Glabra), that still carry their
leaves during winter, so that the bed can be beautiful
all year long. Shamrock is low-maintenance, shade-
tolerant, and adaptable to both heavy and wet soils. It
produces jet-black berries throughout the winter.
Figure 44b. Eryngium/Big Blue Flow-
ers for raised beds (Bluestone Peren-
nials)
Figure 44c. Coreopsis/Crème Brulée
for raised beds (Bluestone Perenni-
als)

65
Small fruit trees can provide shade and height to each
side of the park. The “Santa Rosa” plum tree, for ex-
ample, will do well in Johnson Park (Figure 44d). It is
15-25 feet tall and produces large quantities of red-
dish purple edible fruits. It is a relatively hardy tree,
adaptable to a variety of soils.
Soil
Growing perennials in a raised bed will require a soil
low in nitrogen as well as a high-phosphorous fertiliz-
er. Generally, the fertilizer requirements for a new
bed includes approximately two pounds of 5-10-5 fer-
tilizers per 100 square feet of garden bed area
(University of Illinois Extension).
Sidewalk Berm
Vegetation
As mentioned in Appendix C, vegetation built on a
berm between Johnson Park and the sidewalk would
benefit the park environment, protect the neighbor-
hood from potential flooding, and discourage children
from wandering from the park into the street. A thick,
vegetative cover can effectively redirect stormwater
back toward the ocean. Knockout roses (3-4’) are
tough, disease-resistant roses that require minimal
maintenance (Figure 45a and b). Compact and bushy,
they have multiple blooming periods and can survive
temperatures that other rosebushes cannot. The New
Ocean House Resort Hotel used an abundance of roses
in their landscaping, both on the hotel side of Puritan
Road and on the beach side. Incorporating these roses
will be a way to recreate the vegetative environment
that existed before.
Figure 45a and b. Knockout roses
(double white and double red) for
sidewalk berm (Photos provided by
the Town of Swampscott Municipal
Design Committee)
Figure 44d. Fruits of Santa Rosa
plum tree for raised beds (Pinterest)

66
Soil
The soil type of Johnson Park is not clearly defined.
For sandy and loam soils, incorporating 3-6 inches of
plant-derived compost is recommended. For clay soils,
consider adding shale to improve soil drainage and
aeration (Texas AgriLife Extension Service).
Rain Garden
Vegetation
Rain gardens require native plants species that would
thrive in the local environment, and often feature
shrubs, wildflowers, and grasses. Daylilies such as the
Catherine Woodbury (32 inches tall) are easy to grow
and blossom earlier than most daylilies, thereby ex-
tending the flowering season of the rain garden by
planting plants with varied bloom cycles. Native
coastal grasses, such as Switchgrass (Panicum Virga-
tum), are adapted to various types of coastal soils
(Figure 46). These grasses stabilize soil in critical are-
as.
Soil
Rain gardens are usually planted with high-drainage,
sandy soils; sometimes gravel and mulch are added.
Knowing the current soil specifics of Johnson Park will
help indicate what specific soils, if any, should be
added to create the rain garden. Recommendations
above are plants that generally do well in Swampscott
and grow well in rain gardens. When designing the rain
garden, it is recommended to have the tallest flowers
and shrubs in the deepest part of the rain garden.
Plant species should be placed at a density of one
plant per 2 ft2
depending on the species and the size
of the rain garden.
Figure 46. Switchgrass for rain gar-
den (Panicum Virgatum) (USDA Nat-
ural Resources Conservation Ser-
vices image by Mike Owsley)

67
Half-moon Bench
Vegetation
The Half-moon Bench will be surrounded by lilacs
(Syringa Vulgaris), which are low-maintenance and
good-smelling deciduous shrubs that grow between 5-
15 feet. Lilac flowers come in seven colors, including
rich burgundy purple, lavender, blue, white and
creamy yellow. These plants are appropriate in John-
son Park as they were historically used here before.
To ensure that the lilacs will bloom for a longer sea-
son, combine early blossom varieties like Excel lilacs,
growing in February and March, with later-blooming
varieties like Miss Kim lilacs, which will extend flow-
ering period from winter through late spring (Figure
47 a and b).
Soil
Lilacs prefer soils that are neutral to slightly acidic.
The plants don’t tolerate poorly drained soils; the
soil should retain enough moisture to nourish the root
system. Granular organic fertilizer can be applied at
the base of the plant early each spring to help pro-
vide nutrients for the coming year.
Pathways
Vegetation
Pathway vegetation is important for softening the ap-
pearance of walkway edges. Vegetative strips are
recommended along the pathway of the Half-moon
Bench, on the lawn side of the Western Path, and on
one side of the Eastern Path under the tensile shad-
ing. The vegetation chosen must be tolerant of
shade, wind, and heavy foot traffic. Summersweet
Figure 47 a and b. Excel and Miss
Kim lilacs bushes blooming in differ-
ent time period, for Half-moon
Bench (Sooner plant farm)

68
(Clethra Alnifolia) is a 3-4’ flowering shrub that thrives
in New England (Figure 48). It is a rounded, densely-
branched, deciduous shrub, mostly used on pathway
borders and ground covers, that tolerates coastal spray
and wet areas in acidic soil. The flowers bloom from
mid-to-late summer; the glossy dark green leaves turn
attractive shades of yellow and golden brown during
fall.
Soil
Summersweet prefers acidic, moist, and well-drained
soils. For planting in heavy clay soils, it is best to add
soil fertilizers, such as composted ground pine bark, to
improve drainage. This native plant will grow in full
sun to total shade, but it will grow best in full sun or
with morning sun and afternoon shade.
To help these green species to survive through the dif-
ferent seasons of the year, some site maintenance will
be required.
Maintenance
Johnson Park vegetative maintenance will be per-
formed by the Department of Public Works. The cur-
rent staff within this department are responsible for all
the town’s parks, vegetation (trees, shrubs, flowers),
trash, and facility maintenance (Open Space Plan
2013). The director of DPW, Gino Cresta, stated that
Johnson Park’s maintenance will vary depending on the
season. Trash will be collected three days a week dur-
ing the spring and summer; landscaping maintenance,
such as grass-cutting, will take place once per week
from May 1st to November 1st.
Figure 48. Summersweet bush, for
decorative hedge along Johnson
Park Pathways (Naturehills)

69
The Town of Swampscott 2013 Open Space & Recrea-
tion Plan identifies the following goals for open space
management:
1. Maintain Open Spaces and Recreation Facili-
ties
2. Improve Public Access and Awareness
3. Expand and Improve Open Spaces and Recre-
ation Facilities
4. Preserve the Scenic Character of the Town
5. Strengthen Environmental Protection
In keeping with these guidelines, the Tufts UEP Field
Project Team developed a comprehensive proposal for
turning Johnson Park into an accessible and welcoming
community space with improved aesthetics, vegeta-
tion, recreation opportunities, and both environmen-
tally and historically relevant design. The final pro-
posal incorporates green infrastructure techniques to
mitigate coastal flood concerns; raised beds and per-
ennials to improve the park environment and reduce
maintenance; better pathways to improve access to
and circulation within the park; restored historical el-
ements; restrooms and beach-related amenities; for-
mal and informal seating for picnickers and view-
gazers; and open lawn space for recreation and open
views of the ocean. The Field Project Team consulted
with key Swampscott stakeholders, studied coastal
park precedents and design techniques, and engaged
the Swampscott community in the design process.
From here, it is the hope of this team that the Town
of Swampscott will consider these recommendations
as they move forward with the rehabilitation and im-
provement of Johnson Park.
VI. Conclusion
Conclusion

71
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