• Various colorful nautical-themed playground structures with rubber floor, surrounded by a larger park with benches. Children are shown using the play structures.
  • Top-down aerial view of the colorful nautical-themed playground, with the pentagonal-shaped main area featuring several large play structures, and a separate area for swings connected by a paved path. The area is surrounded by a larger park.
  • Close up view of the largest play structure which is shaped like a pirate ship complete with decorative masts and a telescope. The siding is made to look like wooden planks, and there are multiple ladders and slides coming off the sides. Children are shown running beside it.
  • Colorful nautical-themed playground structures with rubber floor, surrounded by a larger park with benches. Children are shown using the play structures.
  • Top-down aerial view of a colorful jungle gym with children climbing on it.

Castle Island Playground Renovation

Boston, Massachusetts

Images 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 on 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 surrounding walkways was redesigned to conform to ADA standards. New concrete walkways connect the maintenance and swing set areas to the main path. A new water bottle filling station and spray pole/foot wash were installed near 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 discourage pedestrian crossings. Permitting included work within the coastal dune (Land Subject to Coastal Storm Flowage) and maintained or improved its functions by reducing impervious surfaces and restoring the coastal bank with beachgrass.