Place

Blackstone Boulevard Parkway

Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site

Pencil drawing of curving line with circles representing trees on both sides.
Blackstone Boulevard Parkway

Olmsted Archives, Job #02601, Providence, RI

Quick Facts
Location:
Providence, RI
Significance:
Olmsted Designed Park
Rhode Island’s first designed parkway, Blackstone Boulevard Parkway, was originally designed in 1886 by H.W.S. Cleveland. Before any work could be done, Cleveland would pass away, with Olmsted Brothers being commissioned to complete the design. John Charles Olmsted, with Carl Rust Parker, took lead on the design, proposing that the Boulevard’s median and shoulders should be densely planted. Although the Olmsted Brother’s design intention with their planting has diminished over time, the Boulevard has not been significantly altered.

Source: "Blackstone Boulevard," The Cultural Landscape Foundation

For more information and primary sources, please visit:
Olmsted Research Guide Online 
Olmsted Archives on Flickr

Last updated: May 24, 2024

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