Frederick Law Olmstead 1822 - 1903Landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, the nineteenth century visionary who founded the profession of landscape architecture, is responsible for the overall design of Walnut Hill Park. Influenced by the parks of Europe and his native New England landscape, the design for Walnut Hill Park was typical of his work, creating a rural experience in the city. Although many components of the design were not carried out, the park owes its overall character and form to the plan. The map in the center of this rotunda depicts the Olmstead and Vaux plan. Prior to its development as a park, Walnut Hill was a barren hilltop, lacking vegetation or amenities.
Walnut Hill Park may have been one the firm's earliest commissions after New York's Central Park, adding to the national importance of the park.
Born in Hartford, Connecticut, Olmstead moved to the New York City area in 1848 and settled in Brookline, Mass., in the early 1880's. His designs number in the hundreds and include New York's Central Park, the Boston Park System and the United States Capitol Grounds.
Olmstead is buried in Old North Cemetery in Hartford, Connecticut.
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