The Downtown Sidewalk Design & Aesthetics Study Committee completed its work and reported its conclusions to the Planning Board on 10/20/14. This was its report (the original has nice photos that did not copy here from the PDF, but which should be available at the town website) –
Downtown Sidewalk Design & Aesthetics Study Committee
Review and improve the aesthetic beauty of Downtown Medfield
1. Sidewalks
Goal
To incorporate bricks into the streetscape to maintain the historic
character of Downtown Medfield.
Vision
• To preserve existing solid brick areas in public/gathering
spaces (Town Hall, Baxter Park, Gazebo Park, UU Church)
• The cross section of the sidewalk in other areas: Granite
curbing with 2′ widths of brick accent in a “basketweave”
pattern (approximately 30% of the sidewalk width for
sidewalks less than 6′) > tree grates > variable widths (at least
4 ‘) of concrete
• Handicap accessibility is paramount. The above
recommendation may be superseded if HC accessibi lity is not
achievable.
2. Street Trees
Goal
To ensure future plantings are aesthetically pleasing with proper site
analysis, site preparation, and tree selection. Prepare li st of suitable
street trees for the Downtown on the Town road layout as well as
acceptable trees for private properties adjacent to the road layout.
Vision
Street trees should be upright, vase shape with ascending branch
structure that can grow above the road and buildings and are easily
upbranched in the future to maintain needed clearance and visibility.
The trees should be as clean and litter free as possible as well as
drought tolerant and as insect and disease free as possible. With all
selections it is a series of compromises rather than 1 or 2 perfect
trees.
Trees that can be considered with these attributes in mind:
• Ginko Biloba “Magyar”
• Gleditsia Triacanthos Inermis “Shademaster” or “Skyline” Honey Locust
• Gymnocladus Dioicus “Espresso” Kentucky Coffee Tree
• Ulmus Parviflora “Allee Erner II” Chinese Lacebark Elm
• Zelkova SeITata “Green Vase” or “Ogon”
For areas with overhead lines, consider an ornamental upright shorter growing tree:
• Crataeyus viridir “Winter King”
• Parrotia persica “Vanessa”
• Syringa Reticulata “Ivory Silk” Japanese Tree Lilac
• Stewartia Pseudocamellia Japanese or Korean Stewartia
Tree Grates: #8854 Sunray 48″x48″ Tree Grate and Frame Set with 16″ Center Hole by EJ New
England Branch in Brockton, MA (ejco.com)
3. Crosswalks
Goal
To supplement the historic character of Downtown Medfield and
enhance visibility of crosswalks and increased pedestrian safety.
Vision
• Use a brick-patterned stamped concrete or alternative faux
brick
o Main Street I South Street intersection
o Main Street I North Street I Pleasant Street
o North Street I Janes A venue
o Main Street I Park Street
o Main Street I Spring Street I North Meadows Road
For future consideration:
• Wayfinding signage
• Street lights
• Benches
• Public art
• Waste receptacles
• Planters
Design Guidelines Endorsed by Planning Board
October 20, 2014
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