Lake Mansfield Construction Resumes March 18; No Pedestrian Access During Work Period

After a brief winter shutdown, construction work on improvements to the Lake Mansfield area will resume on March 18.

The upcoming work phase for the Lake Mansfield Comprehensive Improvements project includes:

•     Removing the roadway between the boat launch and beach area;
•     Improving drainage under the old road;
•     Creating a new, planted lake-edge buffer zone;
•     Paving the parking lot;
•     Replacing the vehicular road with a paved pedestrian path.

Portions of Lake Mansfield Road are already closed to vehicles, but beginning in March the lake edge will be closed to walking and biking during construction.

“People should be aware that the road along the lake will not be usable by pedestrians this spring,” said Mark Pruhenski, town manager. “This will be a few months of disruption so that contractors can work safely and efficiently. You will not be able to walk from the boat launch northwards until this phase is completed.”
 
Most work is expected to be completed by July 1, depending on weather. Most of the new tree planting and landscaping work is scheduled to occur in the fall, when it is seasonally optimal for planting.

The Lake Mansfield improvements are designed to protect the water quality and the habitat of the area, provide handicapped accessibility throughout the recreation area, and improve the safety for everyone who uses it, according to Christopher Rembold, assistant town manager and director of planning and community development.

He added, “The area will look much different to folks when it reopens–cars will only be able to enter from the north, and the circulation will be different. But it will be much safer for people, and it will be a vast improvement for the long term health of the lake.”

Contractors have accomplished much of the rough work near the parking lot, which included enlarging the lot at the beach area, installing rain gardens and other stormwater management features to prevent runoff contamination of the Lake.

Also, a larger culvert has been installed to prevent flooding of the road at the lake’s outlet.

South of the beach,the existing vehicle road along the lake edge will be replaced with a paved path for walkers and bicyclists. Only emergency vehicles will be permitted to use this portion of the road.

The lake edge will be replanted to provide stormwater filtration and a stabilized bank.

Anyone with questions may contact crembold@townofgb.org or (413) 528-1619 ext. 2401.