Castle Island Playground Renovation

Images by courtesy of M.E. O’Brien & Sons, Inc.

BETA prepared conceptual design options that led to contract documents for the renovation of the existing Castle Island Playground. The playground sits within a shaded area of the south side of Fort Independence and overlooks Pleasure Bay.

The framework of the existing playground, which reflects the form of the adjacent fort, remains. However, the existing play equipment was replaced with historic and marine-inspired pieces selected by DCR. A new porous, poured-in-place rubber safety surface was provided within the two play areas.

Access to the playground and walkways around the play equipment were redone to conform to ADA standards. New concrete walkways connect maintenance and the swing set area to the main path. A new water bottle filling station and spray pole/foot wash were installed close to the main path for park and beach users.

Native plantings and ground covers were planted behind the coastal dune and under and around existing trees to eliminate pedestrian crossings. Permitting included work within the coastal dune (land subject to coastal storm flowage) and maintains or improves the functions of the coastal dune with the reduction of impervious surfaces and restoration of the coastal bank planted with beachgrass.