University Park at MIT, Urban redevelopment area in Cambridgeport, Massachusetts, United States
University Park is a public green space located between the MIT campus and the residential area of Cambridgeport, offering shade trees, seating, and open lawns. The design creates a continuous flow between the university and the surrounding neighborhood.
The site once housed the Simplex Wire & Cable Company, which manufactured electrical cable products for decades. A large wire spool from this industrial era now stands in the park as a reminder of this past.
The space displays over 100 sculptural pieces in bronze and stainless steel collected under the title Traces, telling stories of the area's industrial past. These works are scattered throughout the grounds and invite visitors to explore their meanings.
The park is easily accessible with multiple entry points from the surrounding streets and from the MIT campus. Visit during daylight hours to fully appreciate the plantings and public art on display throughout the grounds.
A fog fountain featuring cast bronze oyster shells was discovered during construction and references the area's earlier salt marsh heritage. The shells connect the park to its wetland past in a subtle and poetic way.
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