New beach digs almost done
Lincoln Woods pavilion is nearing completion
LINCOLN – Visitors going to Lincoln Woods State Park for the opening of the freshwater fishing season recently would have noticed that the park’s new beach facilities are nearing completion.
The work is part of a $5.3 million facility improvement project begun by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) last year that razed the old beach buildings and will replace them with three new state-of-the-art beach headquarters structures designed by the Brewster Thornton Group of Providence. The Ahlborg Construction Corp. of Warwick is general contractor for the improvement project.
Larry Mouradjian, the DEM’s associate director, visited the work site on Tuesday and said that it appears the project “is coming along nicely.”
There is still work to be completed on the new facilities but Mouradjian said the contractors were trying to finish the project in time for the park’s regular official opening Memorial Day weekend. “We expect it to be open for beach season,” Mouradjian said.
The project includes three new buildings all clustered around a central plaza area that has been designed to actually shift the facilities further away from the restricted cove area near the park roadway. The shift will place the swimming area in a wider area of Olney Pond that should provide a better beach setting for visitors, according Mouradjian.
“The design of the build- ings is intended to give a feel of the Adirondacks and that of historical Lincoln,” Mouradjian said. “I think it will give people a real retreat from the city,” he added while noting that Lincoln Woods is located just a 10- to 15- minute drive from Providence, Pawtucket or Woonsocket.
The new facilities will also make use of energy efficient technology, recycled materials and innovative design components including pas- sive ventilation and daylight illumination and even solar energy for heating water in some areas.
The new layout includes a building for the beach bathroom, dressing and shower facilities, according to Mouradjian. A new headquarters building will house the park concession stand, the beach manager’s office, and the offices of the park rangers and lifeguards. The third new building will house the park’s nature and educational programs and host special programs offered during the season, according to Mouradjian.
The improvement project also includes the reconstruction of the parking area near the beach facilities, work that has been largely completed, and work around the nearby field and entrances to the beach.
Lincoln Woods offers much more than just a lifeguard protected swimming beach, Mouradjian noted. It is a popular fresh water fishing spot with stocked trout and other species, and also draws visitors for walking, running, bike riding, paddle sports, and even horseback riding.
The DEM has a horseback riding concession operated by Sunset Stables near the park entrance, Mouradjian pointed out, and that offers visitors an opportunity of guided tours on the park’s wooded trails. There are even many popular “bouldering” spots for those who enjoy rock climbing.
“Lincoln Woods just offers so many recreational uses,” Mouradjian said of the wellused northern Rhode Island recreational area. Lincoln Woods is located just off Route 146 and can be accessed from Twin River Road or Breakneck Hill Road and Great Road.