Shannon Beach

Location
Massachusetts DCR

RDLA worked with the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation to create an accessible landscape connecting the new Shannon Beach bathhouse with the shoreline of the Mystic Lakes.Careful grading and a system of accessible boardwalks negotiate the sloping site while preserving significant existing trees. The boardwalk connects directly to an accessible beach mat, creating an inclusive route from the bathhouse to the water’s edge. Native plantings stabilize slopes, provide an ecological buffer between the building and beach, and reinforce the natural character of the reservation.New seating and picnic areas provide comfortable places to gather and enjoy views of the water, creating a more welcoming and universally accessible recreational landscape.

 

photography by Ed Wonsek