John Ruiz Park - Chelsea, MA

Inspired by Chelsea’s hometown boxing hero, John “ The Quietman” Ruiz, this lively park adds valuable open space to the City’s dense urban center. A pattern of intersecting circles divides the park into distinct but cohesive use areas, bordered by colorful plantings and dotted with shade trees. Entering the park, your eye is drawn to the colorful sculptural climber at the park’s center.  Additional features placed in the outlying circles include a splash pad, outdoor exercise equipment, and a plaza with tables and chairs.   The park’s final area is a green lawn, encircled by a looping brick pathway that leads past benches to an imaginative tribute to John Ruiz, with a life-size steel portrait standing in a representational “ring” and a bilingual English/Spanish informational panel detailing his career and accomplishments.

This park was featured in the March 2015 issue of Landscape Architect and Specifier News.