Olmsted Network
PARKS, PLACES & PEOPLE
The Olmsted Network is the first and only national organization dedicated to championing Olmsted parks, places and principles through advocacy, education and stewardship.
Learn
Frederick Law Olmsted (1822-1903)
Frederick Law Olmsted was born in Hartford, CT, in 1822. It wasn’t until he was 43 years old that he decided to devote himself fully to landscape architecture. His experiences as a farmer, journalist for The New York Times, administrator and public servant all influenced his later thinking and career.
Learn about Frederick Law Olmsted
Experience
Parks, Landscapes & More
Olmsted created some of the most iconic and recognizable landscapes in North America, including Central Park in New York City, the Emerald Necklace in Boston, Jackson Park in Chicago and the park systems of Louisville, Rochester and Buffalo.
Explore the Olmsted Trail
Research
Design Theory, Principles & Philosophy
Over a period of nearly 100 years, the Olmsted firm had thousands of projects throughout the United States, Canada and other countries. Explore the Master List of Design Projects, the Olmsted Papers Project, Olmsted’s Theory & Design Principles and more.
View ResourcesGet Involved
Become a champion for Parks, Places & People, and all Olmsted landscapes. Now more than ever, public parks and green spaces are critical to individual well-being, strong communities, vibrant economies and a healthy planet. Use our tools and templates to learn more and advocate for parks everywhere.
Partner
Join the Olmsted Network
Help us preserve and protect historic Olmsted landscapes; provide advocacy and technical assistance at the national and local level; offer key resources and educational material about Olmsted landscape designs; provide regular conferences and online forums for park leaders and the public; and publish and promote scholarship.
Learn more about the Olmsted NetworkFeatured News & Stories
Featured post
Privatization of Our Parks Is A Real Danger
Thanks to Frederick Law Olmsted, public parks are one of America’s defining democratic achievements. As places open to all, they benefit communities and families in numerous ways. Tens of millions of Americans have relied on parks as gathering, recreation and restoration sites since the pandemic. And that has never been truer than in Boston’s Emerald Necklace. […]
Featured post
Q&A with Janet Atkins
The Olmsted Network is excited to welcome Janet Atkins to our board of directors. Atkins is recognized in the philanthropic community for her expertise advising and helping organizations develop strategic and values-based methods of charitable giving. She recently retired from 15 years on the board of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. Like Olmsted, Atkins thinks and plans […]