Blackstone Boulevard Parkway

Blackstone Boulevard Parkway

Olmsted Archives, Job #02601, Providence, RI

Quick Facts

Location:

Providence, RI

Significance:

Olmsted Designed Park

MANAGED BY:

Blackstone Parks Conservancy

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