The $1.9 million project also will expand the parking lot near the beach and install storm-water controls — like rain gardens and a larger culvert — to keep the road from flooding. (Great Barrington Land Conservancy photo)

A long-awaited plan that will make western Massachusetts' Lake Mansfield recreation area safer and cleaner is on the cusp of starting.

The Berkshire Eagle in Pittsfield reported Oct. 8 that heavy construction to replace the road around the Great Barrington lake with a shared pedestrian and cycling path will begin in November.

The $1.9 million project also will expand the parking lot near the beach and install storm-water controls — like rain gardens and a larger culvert — to keep the road from flooding.

Moreover, the effort also is designed to make the area easier to navigate for those who use wheelchairs. Other updates for the beach area will include a new bathroom, a changing room and shaded picnic tables.

When finished, though, the improvements to the lake park may require "a change of habit" for some, said Christopher Rembold, Great Barrington's town planner and assistant town manager, in speaking with the Eagle. That is because vehicular traffic will only be able to enter the road from the north via Christian Hill Road.

He explained that most of the work, paid for in large part by state grants, will likely be completed by the end of next June.

Lake's Roadway in Dire Need of Improvement

Located in Massachusetts' scenic Berkshire Mountains, Lake Mansfield's recreation area includes a 29-acre conservation forest with a trail as well as a boat launch. Residents of Great Barrington and local environmental groups have for years worried about the health of what is considered one of the state's most pristine bodies of water.

The Eagle noted that the narrow road leading visitors to the recreation area is a hazard unto itself as the region's often-brutal winters have gnawed away at it over the years. Additionally, drainage issues and rushing stormwater from the hill above the lake have caused portions of the drive to crumble into the water.

An overhaul of the roadway was deemed too expensive and complicated, given the sensitivity of the ecosystem and the required permits.

In 2020, voters decided to close the drive to vehicles, except in emergencies, despite some resistance to losing the shortcut that skirted downtown Great Barrington. Later, the road reopened from south to north only.

Rembold told the Pittsfield news source that Great Barrington will post updates to the construction schedule on the town website. He added there may be times when the road is completely closed to traffic and pedestrians during the project.

Project Paid in Part by Massachusetts State Funds

Great Barrington received $1.6 million from a pair of Massachusetts grants to pay for the construction at the lake — the most recent, for $710,000, was announced in September.

Both grants came from the Commonwealth's Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness program, administered by the state's Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). The program provides "community-driven climate resilience planning and action," according to the agency.

Since 2017, the EEA program has awarded $131.5 million to nearly all the state's cities and towns.

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