Thomas Park and Dorchester Heights Monument Restored for Semiquincentennial

In South Boston, the rehabilitation of Thomas Park and the Dorchester Heights Monument, a significant site from the Revolutionary War, has been successfully completed by Arcadis and SmithGroup. The National Park Service announced the project in 2023, with its conclusion in 2026, aligning with the nation's semiquincentennial. Under the guidance of landscape architect John Amodeo, Arcadis enhanced accessibility with custom ramps and new pathways for those with vision and mobility challenges, raising the park's west side by three feet to comply with ADA standards. SmithGroup, as the historical preservation architect, meticulously restored the tower's belfry, lantern, and spire, while also cleaning the exterior and sealing roofing. Funding was provided by the Great American Outdoors Act of 2020, and granite placards now detail the site's history. Thomas Park, established in 1853, is located on Telegraph Hill, approximately 35 feet above street level, while the Dorchester Heights Monument, designed by Peabody & Stearns and inaugurated in 1902, rises 115 feet in white marble, commemorating the Continental Army's first major victory in 1776.