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Blog Post  Explore the Function and Beauty of Landscape Architecture

4/28/2026
  • Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation
Decorative image with the text "Landscape Architects."

If you’ve ever enjoyed an outdoor space like a park or garden, chances are it was designed by a landscape architect. As the weather warms up, it’s the perfect opportunity to go outside and learn about landscape architecture, and how landscape architects are regulated by the Commonwealth.

What’s a Landscape Architect?

Landscape architects design the outdoor spaces in which people live, work and play. They aim to create spaces that find the balance between function and beauty while still protecting the natural environment. Projects can range from a small private garden to several thousand acres, even entire cities.

Landscape architects have to know and understand a lot more than one might expect —the design process, plant and soil science, ecology, construction practices, engineering principles, and environmental psychology.

This training meets job site requirements including managing problems related to drainage, grading, oceans, and wind as well as the installation of gardens, swimming pools, spas, terraces, walkways, and more.

How are Landscape Architects Regulated?

One of 26 Boards under the Division of Occupational Licensure (DOL), the Board of Registration of Landscape Architects protects the public by regulating landscape architects in Massachusetts. They grant licenses to qualified people, establish regulations, and ensure licensees are upholding state standards and operating with integrity and competence. The board also receives, investigates and adjudicates complaints against licensed landscape architects. 

Before hiring a landscape architect, you can check the status of a license with the Division of Occupational Licensure.

Where Can I experience Landscape Architecture First-hand?

Massachusetts is home to stunning examples of landscape architecture. Every county has outdoor experiences for residents to enjoy, including these listed below. For more information on these or other outdoor experiences, visit the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism or Department of Conservation & Recreation websites.

Barnstable County: Highfield Hall & Gardens (Falmouth) 

Sunken Garden Highfield Hall, Falmouth Cape Cod
This 19th-cenury estate presents heritage exhibits, concerts and art shows, alongside beautiful gardens, walking trails, and a historic Victorian home.

Berkshire County: Naumkeag (Stockbridge)

Picnic at Naumkeag
These beautiful grounds feature eight acres of terraced gardens — including the Afternoon Garden and the Chinese Garden — landscaped grounds, and other features, such as Fletcher Steele’s Blue Steps. Naumkeag is surrounded by 40 acres of wilderness in the Berkshire Mountains. The path around the gardens is roughly one mile long.

Bristol County: Watson Pond State Park (Taunton)

Watson Pond State Park
As the weather gets warmer, Watson Pond State Park climbs to the top of many families’ lists for seasonal activities. The 10-acre park offers beachfront picnic areas, a bath house, a playground, and a small pavilion.

Dukes County: Manuel F. Correllus State Forest (Edgartown)

Correllus State Forest
Manuel F. Correllus State Forest sits in the center of Martha’s Vineyard. Across 5,300 acres, visitors will find miles of trails, a disc golf course, and a statue honoring the last habitat for the heath hen before its extinction in 1932.

Essex County: Bradley Palmer State Park (Topsfield)

Gatehouse, Bradley Palmer State Park, Hamilton, Massachusetts.
The former Willowdale Estate features 721-acres of pine needled paths and sunny rolling meadows for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Located in Topsfield, the estate and state park also offers other family friendly activities like cross-country skiing, canoeing, fishing, and swimming in the wading pool.

Franklin County: Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation (South Deerfield)

Mount Sugarloaf
In the valley close to Connecticut River, the summit of Mount Sugarloaf offers amazing views of a broad agricultural landscape. Along the mountain there are scenic areas great for picnics, hiking, and mountain biking.

Plymouth County: National Monument to the Forefathers (Plymouth)

National Monument to the Forefathers
Just off the coast of Plymouth Harbor is the National Monument to the Forefathers. Completed in 1889, this historic site is an 81-foot granite monument memorializing the pursuits that motivated the Pilgrims to leave England and start a new colony.

Worcester County: New England Botanic Garden at Tower Hill (Boylston)

Tower hill botanical garden
This 200-acre, four-season botanic garden has 18 garden spaces, walking trails, and woodlands. The gardens and conservatories offer diverse collections of plants with a variety of themed gardens and flora collections, such as the Field of Daffodils, the Vegetable Garden, and The Ramble.

Happy and Healthy Environments 

Landscape architects are committed to designing healthy and happy environments and communities, balancing the harmony of safety with aesthetic. Whether a landscape architect is independent, part of a firm, or on a historical team, regulation is extremely important to make sure standards and rules are properly followed. Read the landscape architects consumer fact sheet to learn more.

  • Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation

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