Waitt's Mount

Shadley Associates recently worked with the City of Malden, Massachusetts to develop a Master Plan for Waitt’s Mount. Waitt’s Mount is a historic park on the tallest point in Malden, with expansive views of the Boston skyline. Home to a WWI Fresh Air Camp, to WWII gun batteries and to observers of the Battle of Bunker Hill, Waitt’s Mount has granite outcroppings, WPA-era walls, steps and trails, forest and meadow, and is beloved by its neighbors. Two community meetings have been held to obtain input and gather responses to the Draft Master Plan.

The initial public meeting and a community survey provided clear direction for the development efforts at Waitt’s Mount. Key concerns for nearby residents are a strong sense of safety and consistent maintenance, resulting in the proposed Ranger’s house and the design of clear and easily accessible entrances to promote appropriate use of the park.

The main attraction of Waitt’s Mount is the summit, which provides stunning views over the surrounding area and Boston skyline. A major goal of the Master Plan is to facilitate access to the summit, but preserve it as a natural space. Universally accessible routes and strategically placed informational signage will enhance the user’s experiences of the park and encourage public use. Community members requested walking or jogging paths, as well as a tot lot, picnic tables, and a gathering space for organized events. A circular flat space just below the summit, created for the water tower which once stood there, provides an excellent location for this gathering space. This could potentially be rented out for special occasions, and provide a source of income for the park’s upkeep. The cliffs along one side of the Mount are popular with rock climbers, and while visually discreet fencing is being placed along some of the most dangerous areas of the park, room will be left for the continued recreational use of these rock faces.