The Harbor Link Gardens were officially opened this week with a ribbon cutting ceremony on the Old Northern Avenue Bridge. The project, once dubbed the Bridge of Flowers, installed 12 giant planters filled with horticultural masterpieces selected to absorb the harsh salt, sun and wind conditions on the popular pedestrian walkway.
The public / private effort combined a $50,000 gift from the Boston Committee of the Garden Club of America to The Boston Harbor Association with support from Boston Parks and Public Works Departments. Speaking on behalf of their organizations were GCA – Boston Chair Michele Hanss, TBHA President Vivien Li, Parks Commissioner Antonia Pollak and Public Works Commissioner Joanne Massaro. Significant contributions to the project were also made by Warner Larson Landscape Architects, Read Custom Soils, BH Brown Landscape Design, Mahoney’s Garden Center and Greentop Planters of Rockport.
Ribbon Cutting- (L-R) Antonia Pollak, Parks Commissioner, Joanne Massaro, Public Works Commissioner; Vivien Li, The Boston Harbor Association President and Michele Hanss, Chair of the Boston Committee of the Garden Club of America
Harbor Link Gardens on the Old Northern Avenue Bridge
Admirers of the Harbor Link Gardens
Planters line the sides of the pedestrian walkway on the Old Northern Avenue Bridge
Greenway side entrance to the Old Northern Avenue Bridge
A crowd gathered at the ceremony on the Seaport side of the bridge
A hardy selection of plants were selected for the exposed bridge area
Michele Hanss, Chair of the Garden Club of America – Boston Committee represented 1,100 women from 14 garden clubs; GCA-Boston donated $50,000 to the project
Connecting Downtown and the Greenway to the Seaport District
The bridge is a popular walkway overlooking Boston Harbor
Vivien Li, President of The Boston Harbor Association speaks at the ceremony
In its fragile state, only one part of the bridge is open for pedestrians
David Warner’s company, Warner Larson Landscape Architects provided pro bono services
The Old Northern Avenue Bridge connects Downtown and the Greenway to the Seaport District
Public Works, Parks Department and The Boston Harbor Association will maintain the planters
One Reply to “Harbor Link Gardens on Old Northern Avenue Bridge Brings Private, Public and Non-Profit Groups Together”
Most of us who walk the bridge often are so happy to see this gorgeous addition. Great group effort by so many. This is probably the last year before this bridge is renovated to accept car traffic and really bottleneck Atlantic Ave! Enjoy it!
Most of us who walk the bridge often are so happy to see this gorgeous addition. Great group effort by so many. This is probably the last year before this bridge is renovated to accept car traffic and really bottleneck Atlantic Ave! Enjoy it!