Last updated: 2/13/25

Study of Shadow Impacts on Boston's Parks

Understanding the impacts of light and shadow on the Emerald Necklace parks and park users.

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This project is a research study that will produce data and best practices for measuring and analyzing sunlight and shadow. The findings of this study will guide future policy writing around development and impacts to sunlight in parks. Policy writing is not a part of this project's scope.

PROJECT INFORMATION

PROJECT TYPE

Parks and Planning

EXPECTED YEAR TO BE COMPLETED

2025

STUDY LOCATION

Back Bay Fens and Riverway Parks

PROJECT COST

$400,000

The Parks Department is collaborating with the Planning Department for a study on the impacts of light and shadow on a part of Boston's Emerald Necklace. As Boston grows, there is a demand to both:

add building height and density in areas throughout the city
support high quality parks and open spaces for all of the benefits they provide

To balance these two demands, Boston will study the sunlight needs of the Emerald Necklace and create accessible guidance for: the public, developers, property owners, and other City departments and agencies. This guidance will then be applied to other park properties in Boston. It will inform:

policies and regulations
planning
review of future development

Common questions

Why are we studying this park? Why not study the whole park system?

This project is looking to develop an evidence-based understanding of sunlight and shadow on parkland, starting with this portion of the Emerald Necklace. By starting with one study area, we're better able to test ideas and verify their accuracy. This parkland has a variety of landscape types, programming, and development pressures. The goal is to conduct this research so that the findings are also applicable to other parks in Boston.

What is the difference between shade and shadow?

SHADE

Shade comes from tree canopy and is beneficial for human health and comfort. Tree canopy naturally allows for flecks of sunlight to come through and reach the people and plants in its shade. Most trees in Boston are deciduous and drop their leaves in winter. That means the amount of shade they cast changes throughout the year.

SHADOW

Shadow is cast from buildings and is generally considered detrimental to the ecological health of vegetation. Building shadows typically completely block sunlight and do not allow for flecks of sunlight to come through and reach the people and plants in its shadow.

What does the Advisory Group do and who is on it?

The Advisory Group will collaborate with the project team. Some goals of Advisory Group member engagement include:

Help develop and maintain transparency about the project within the broader community.
Provide feedback on analysis, precedents, and research.
Help honor past work by flagging duplication of efforts from prior projects.
Carry the knowledge of this study into future regulatory or policy work.

Kirk Sykes, Accordia Partners

Peter Sougarides, Samuels Associates

Marie Law Adams, Landing Studio

Steve Farrell, Fenway Community Development Corporation

Pam Beale, Charlesgate Alliance

Ned Friedman, Arnold Arboretum

Matt Kiefer, Goulston and Storrs

Patrice Kish, Department of Conservation and Recreation

Hessann Farooqi, Boston Climate Action Network

Mohammed Missouri, City of Boston Mayor's Office

Marie Fukuda and Freddie Veikley, Fenway Civic Association

Tom Yardley, Longwood Collective

Alex Krieger, Harvard Graduate School of Design

Kellie Connelly, TerraInk

Who is the consultant team on this project?

Agency LP (contract holder)
Reed Hilderbrand
Chapman EcoLandscape
Neighbor Architects
Buro Happold

Interviews in the park

In addition to the Advisory Group, this project is interviewing park users in the Back Bay Fens and Riverway Parks. One round of interviews was completed in September 2024 and another round will happen in February 2025. Read on for the results from the first round of interviews.

100 people were interviewed in the first round of park interviews

58% of individuals surveyed felt that present sun/ shade conditions influenced where they chose to spend time in the park.
25% of individuals surveyed cited weather and present temperatures as the primary influence for where they chose to spend their time in the park.

“Cool, calm, light is nice here. Like the view of the lake, like the quiet.”

“The blend of shade, partial shade, and full sun - when I'm at the park, I want all of it.”

“She wanted to be in the shade, he wanted sun: compromise!”

Key themes from round 1 of interviews

It’s personal: Sunlight needs were linked to feelings. Individuals expressed seeking peace, relaxation, or energy from their time in the sun.

Not all shade is equal: The quality of shade was important, and a preference for tree shade was expressed.

Sightlines and visibility: Respondents noted a desire to avoid direct sun in one’s eyes or wanting to enjoy the view of an open sky.

Seasonal Variation: Respondents emphasized the importance of direct sunlight during September before winter arrived, the desire for more sun in colder months, and the preference for shade during hotter months.

Choice and Variety: Preferences varied based on a slew of personal and environmental factors; partial shade was commonly stated as the most comfortable environment, and the ability to move between shade and sunlight was prized.