Erosion Mitigation and Boardwalk Structure Design for the Proposed Renovations of Squantum Point
Park
Susana Vasquez-Trujillo, Kirsten Wilde, Nathan Vigneau, Sean Donahue, James O’Brien, Ali Al Khalifa,
Students, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Henderson Pritchard, Professor, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Abstract
The design of possible renovations for Squantum Point Park, located on the coast of Quincy,
Massachusetts, was given to Wentworth Institute of Technology students in Civil Engineering,
Architecture, and Interior Design as a collaborative project in order to transform this space into a central
hub for the New England Area. The idea of the central hub is to produce a National Park similar to those
found on the West Coast of the United States as well as create a water-based transportation center to
encourage an alternate form of transportation. This experience of working with different disciplines from
the Wentworth community as well as outside organizations, such as the National Park Service,
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, and CLE Engineering, Inc., has allowed for a
unique learning opportunity for all students involved. The civil engineering design group, comprised of six
senior students mentored by faculty advisor Dr. Henderson Pritchard, researched and designed a
boardwalk and erosion mitigation system for the coastline to meet aesthetic standards designed by the
architectural student. The scope of work encompassed more than the usual curriculum covered by the
Civil Engineering Department, therefore students worked closely with collaborators in industry to
understand design challenges and work to complete this complicated project based on their professional
experiences. This experience challenged students to think outside of the box and incorporate many
disciplines within civil engineering to design each portion of the project while working with architects and
interior designers, replicating the design process used in industry.