Walk the Landscape

April 26 is the birthday of the man most people recognize as the founder of American landscape architecture.

Frederick Law Olmsted was born on April 26, 1822 in Hartford, Connecticut, but his final office was just outside of Boston. The National Park Service operates his historic home and design office, Fairsted—well worth a visit to Brookline, Massachusetts. Park Rangers normally give tours of the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, but the new spring 2012 walking tours sound like a great way to introduce yourself to Olmsted's landscape architecture. On most Sundays in May and June, tours will explore Olmsted landscapes all around the Boston area.

My top pick? On Sunday morning, June 3, 2012, National Park Service Rangers will lead you around the Olmsted-designed Back Bay Fens, concluding with a 12:30 tour of baseball's cenury-old, historic Fenway Park! Reservations are required.

Can't make it to Boston? Try these other Olmsted venues:

• U.S. Capitol grounds
• Many College Campuses
• Oheka Castle grounds
• Central Park

Can't get enough? Witold Rybczynski's book on Olmsted, A Clearing in the Distance, is a treasure.

^{Photo: Central Park in New York City. ArtToday.com}