O’connell Library Branch is small heavily used neighborhood library in East Cambridge, yet funding challenges limited open hours. Front steps were often used for free WIFI access during closings while the remaining exterior space remained un-useable, dark and fenced with overgrown plantings and no seating.

Re-envisioning the outdoor space at O’Connell Library Branch, began by studying the early site history and the cultural roots of this East Cambridge neighborhood. Once a “near-island” separated from the rest of Cambridge by rivers and tidal marshes, East Cambridge began to change in the early 1800s, marking this neighborhood’s economic, and shifting demographic. The Library building itself was a school and now houses one of the six Cambridge Public library branches.

The East Cambridge Open Space Trust, with developer funding and a mission to bring open space and public amenities to the East Cambridge community chose this Library to be its first project. The Trustees wanted to “bring nature back to the city” both experientially and intellectually. The neighborhood has many children’s playgrounds, but contemplative and restful spaces for older adults to gather near their homes were few.

The design repurposes this 2800 sqft, open space in the city to extend the library use, allowing patrons to use the space outside library hours for quite reflection, gathering, reading and extended evening use. Learning about use of native plants and celebrating Cambridges rich history of poetry and fire poet’s reciting nature themed poetry around open fires and integrating the historic building and neighborhood framed the design language. The project seeks to create a new paradigm for ways by which small unused institutional spaces can better serve the needs of diverse communities while integrating much needed restorative green spaces. “Parks don’t have to be large” as the mayor noted.

Small Neighborhood libraries, in dense neighborhoods are critical for the aging population and young children, within walking distance from their homes. Built though community engagement and partnership with the city, over seven years this park has become a gathering spot for all ages since 2021, with intimate reading nooks, a woodland walk, Wifi stations and lanterns that extend evening use, exemplifying the Trustees goal “to bring nature back” to the city with a well-crafted space public space.