Farlow Park, Newton’s oldest public park and a property listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was originally conceived as a picturesque landscape of strolling paths, mature trees, a reflective pond and an Adirondack-style wooden bridge.

Working with the City of Newton and Friends of Farlow Park, RDLA led a multidisciplinary team to restore the historic pond and reestablish the bridge as a focal point within the landscape. Rather than replicate the original structure, the new bridge interprets its character in a contemporary form while incorporating universal accessibility, durability and modern engineering requirements.

The restored water body, bridge and surrounding landscape reestablish an important part of the park’s historic composition while allowing the landscape to serve contemporary community needs.