Boston trash

Conventional plastic-bag-lined garbage containers were rare. These compactor models were ubiquitous. There are solar panels on the roof of the can to power it. It was necessary to pull the door open quite a way before placing the garbage in the compartment and closing the door. It was not possible to insert a hand or arm into the container. Periodically, the compactor compresses all the garbage into a smaller pile, so the can needs not be emptied so often. Nothing blows around either. Here is a row of three containers, for bottles/cans, trash, and paper. The top two pictures were … Continue reading Boston trash

Boston granite

Boston makes impressive use of granite for many things. There were granite curbs everywhere, and granite bollards: This low curb lining the pedestrian sidewalk on a recently redone street has generous use of granite for some pavers and low curbs. Note the little post to mark the indent for the bench. Also envy the lush planting in the boulevard. In addition to this little granite posts, big ones were used for street signs in a few places. Granite curb marked with rust from the snow plow blade. This was in a park and ride lot for the LRT/subway. Here is … Continue reading Boston granite

Boston granite

Boston makes impressive use of granite for many things. There were granite curbs everywhere, and granite bollards: This low curb lining the pedestrian sidewalk on a recently redone street has generous use of granite for some pavers and low curbs. Note the little post to mark the indent for the bench. Also envy the lush planting in the boulevard. In addition to this little granite posts, big ones were used for street signs in a few places. Granite curb marked with rust from the snow plow blade. This was in a park and ride lot for the LRT/subway. Here is … Continue reading Boston granite

Boston artwork

Many buildings in Boston (and neighboring Cambridge) are old, and require regular maintenance to the exterior brick, granite steps, stone foundations, etc. So I was not surprised to see these piles of sorted construction materials in the yard of Radcliffe College (Harvard U). All around me was the steady clink clink of bricklayers and masons restoring the steps and walls of one of the ancient colleges. But upon closer inspection, I noticed this sign:                                                      Please don’t climb on the exhibit Continue reading Boston artwork

Boston artwork

Many buildings in Boston (and neighboring Cambridge) are old, and require regular maintenance to the exterior brick, granite steps, stone foundations, etc. So I was not surprised to see these piles of sorted construction materials in the yard of Radcliffe College (Harvard U). All around me was the steady clink clink of bricklayers and masons restoring the steps and walls of one of the ancient colleges. But upon closer inspection, I noticed this sign:                                                      Please don’t climb on the exhibit Continue reading Boston artwork

Boston cycle path

The following pictures were taken on the cycling path along Vassar Ave in Cambridge (Boston) MA. Vassar goes through the MIT campus, and recent streetscaping had been done to narrow the road, add boulevard trees, and a bike path which was heavily used when I viewed it on several occasions. In the picture below, it transitions from on-road to being at the same grade as the sidewalk, set back from the street by a row of trees. Despite being in front of the most prestigous engineering school in the world, there is a puddle in the path. The path was … Continue reading Boston cycle path

Boston cycle path

The following pictures were taken on the cycling path along Vassar Ave in Cambridge (Boston) MA. Vassar goes through the MIT campus, and recent streetscaping had been done to narrow the road, add boulevard trees, and a bike path which was heavily used when I viewed it on several occasions. In the picture below, it transitions from on-road to being at the same grade as the sidewalk, set back from the street by a row of trees. Despite being in front of the most prestigous engineering school in the world, there is a puddle in the path. The path was … Continue reading Boston cycle path