A landscape master plan will serve as an overarching framework in pictures and words for the design and implementation of projects over time.
Karen Sebastian and David Nauss
About 20 people (including one on Zoom) gathered in the downstairs meeting room of Newton Highlands Congregational Church, UCC, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, to hear ideas for the church grounds that have been compiled by landscape architect Karen Sebastian and design builder and restoration contractor David Nauss.
Considering the church exterior zone by zone, the consultants explained what traditions people associate with each area and then outlined congregants’ new ideas.
Suggestions included making the front entry more welcoming and easier to navigate, creating better ways to enter the church, establishing outdoor gathering spaces, improving signage, installing a memorial garden, setting up cafe tables with umbrellas, and adding planters, flowering plants, a seating wall, a ferris wheel, a water feature, a bike rack, and a bocce court.
The consultants explained what a master plan is and is not, and participants agreed on the wisdom of making changes to the various outdoor zones in stages.
Guided by the Ms. Sebastian and Mr. Nauss, the church is working on a landscape master planning process. Most recently, congregants toured the church grounds, brainstormed, and took notes that they then shared with the consultants.