Officials hold groundbreaking for new beach pavilion at Lincoln Woods

LINCOLN WOODS, with nearly 1 million in visitors each year, will receive a new
LINCOLN WOODS, with nearly 1 million in visitors each year, will receive a new "green" pavilion as part of a $5.3 million project. / COURTESY R.I. SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE

LINCOLN – Lincoln Woods State Park, with nearly 1 million in visitors each year, will receive a new “green” pavilion as part of a $5.3 million project.

Construction of the pavilion was celebrated at a groundbreaking ceremony Monday, according to a news release from the R.I. Department of Environmental Management.
The project will modernize facilities and visitor amenities at Lincoln Woods beach while also improving energy efficiency and enhancing water quality in the lake, the release said.
Three new, handicapped-accessible buildings, connected by a central plaza, will be constructed. The buildings will house concessions, office space, restroom and shower facilities, and a nature center for educational programming.
“The beach will always be the main attraction, but once it is completed this new facility will really enhance the visitor experience. I was pleased to work with the National Park Service to direct $1.7 million in federal funding to help make this restoration project a reality. The new pavilion offers a major upgrade in both aesthetic and practical terms. It will enhance recreational, educational and ecological opportunities here at the park and be a model for sustainability,” U.S. Sen. Jack F. Reed said in a statement.
Other features of the project include:

  • New facilities connected to local water and sewer systems, eliminating the need for the public drinking water well and septic system currently used
  • The facilities’ footprint and the swimming area shift east, moving the beach away from wetlands and reducing impacts to water quality
  • The building design uses a combination of passive ventilation and daylighting to minimize the need for cooling and heating
  • The use of efficient mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems to conserve natural resources
  • Solar energy used for heating water in key areas, including the main building and in public showers, to reduce energy consumption of park operations
  • The landscape design includes native, non-invasive species that require minimal irrigation
  • The new, expanded parking area is made of porous asphalt; bike racks also were added to promote more active forms of transportation

The $5.3 million project was designed by Providence-based Brewster Thornton Group Architects and will be constructed by Ahlborg Construction Corp. of Warwick.

It is being funded through the National Park Service Land and Water Conservation Fund ($1.7 million) and Rhode Island Capital Program funds totaling $3.6 million.
The beach will be open throughout 2016, but the swimming area will be restricted and visitor facilities at the beach will be limited. Portable restrooms will be installed for public use; concessions, showers and changing facilities will be closed. The project is expected to be completed by the start of the 2017 beach season.
“Lincoln Woods continues to fulfill its seminal purpose of providing working families with a peaceful, inviting place to unwind,” DEM Director Janet L. Coit said. “It is a jewel among our natural areas in Rhode Island and unmatched in its appeal to a great diversity of people and activities. Our parks and beaches in Rhode Island are world-class destinations, and they are a special part of our social fabric. By continuing to invest in them, we ensure they will remain beautiful resources for generations to come.”

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