Did you know that Riverside Press Park was once home to a major book printing plant? This park offers a blend of history and recreation. Let’s dive into the story of this unique Cambridge space.
Riverside Press Park is more than just a park. It stands on the grounds of the former Riverside Press. Henry Houghton started the printing plant in 1852. The plant operated for over a century before closing in 1971.
The Riverside Press was a significant business. It attracted contracts with Atlantic Monthly and G & C Merriam Company. The company expanded adding buildings to increase production. Riverside Press became known for its artistic work. Its motto was “Tout bien ou rien” meaning “do it well or not at all”.
The park includes a community garden. This garden is undergoing changes. It is shifting from individual plots to communal gardening. Green Cambridge partners with the City of Cambridge Community Gardens Program.
Henrietta Davis helped establish the garden in 2012-13. She was a city councilor. Residents of the adjacent 808 Memorial Drive supported the idea. The location next to Memorial Drive was the only feasible spot.
The garden faced challenges. Theft and misuse were common problems. Gardeners felt unsafe because of tall shrubs. The city needed to address these issues.
Green Cambridge stepped in to reprogram the garden. They are using Hurley Farm as a model. Hurley Farm offers communal gardening without individual plots. Produce goes to gardeners and the East End House.
The Riverside Press Park Community Garden is approximately 100’ X 50’. It features a black metal fence and raised planter beds. There is a metal bench a water closet and a wooden kiosk.
A pollinator bed thrives along the Charles River border. It adds color with poppies and asters. Sunflowers also face Memorial Drive. Half the planters have a green stripe. These are managed by Green Cambridge. They contain lettuce tomatoes cucumbers and herbs. Anyone can harvest from these beds. The other half of the planters are for individual gardeners.
Green Cambridge plans to host gardening classes. They aim to involve schools and corporate groups. The goal is to connect different neighborhoods. They expect over 200 people to visit the garden each year. Julia Mintz is the farm coordinator.
The park itself is well-maintained. It has tennis courts a playground and lawn areas. People enjoy the recreational resources. However the park can get loud due to traffic on Memorial Drive.
Riverside Press Park blends history recreation and community. It shows how a former industrial site can become a vibrant public space. The community garden embodies collaboration. It also embodies sustainability in an urban setting.