Woodard & Curran provided integrated assessment, site design, and permitting support for a series of improvements to a deteriorating roadway around Lake Mansfield in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. These improvements collectively enhance public safety, expand recreational opportunities, and bolster long-term water quality protection at this popular recreation area.
Approximately 30 acres in size, Lake Mansfield sits just a mile from downtown Great Barrington within the Housatonic River watershed and is valued for its year-round recreation and scenic views. The site is owned and managed by the Town of Great Barrington, and stewarded by the Great Barrington Land Conservancy (GBLC). Over the last several years, roadway deterioration and a rapidly eroding vegetative buffer have contributed to declining water quality and growing safety concerns for visitors.
Woodard & Curran partnered with Kyle Zick Landscape Architects to execute a series of improvements to resolve these issues. The result is a significantly improved public asset, with improved parking, accessibility, recreational amenities, accompanied by green infrastructure and landscaping improvements that enhance water quality and shoreline stability.
We delivered these improvements through a phased approach that allowed the Town to move from planning and evaluation into targeted design, permitting, and construction in a deliberate and efficient sequence. Early planning established priorities, permitting requirements, cost expectations, and implementation options. Subsequent phases advanced critical infrastructure[RT1.1], including the lake outlet structure, roadway reconstruction, parking improvements, stormwater treatment, and recreation area upgrades.
This sequencing helped reduce overall design and construction timelines, align improvements with available funding and community priorities, and maximize long-term value for public access, safety, recreation, and water quality protection.
Our work began with a review of previous reports and studies conducted by Great Barrington officials to evaluate potential improvements. During this phase, the project team developed a comprehensive implementation plan that illustrated improvement options, identified environmental and permitting requirements, and recommended a sequencing plan and schedule. Woodard & Curran also prepared cost estimates for design, permitting, and construction for each option.
In Phase 2, Woodard & Curran designed and permitted a new outlet structure for the lake. The existing outlet consisted of a 10-inch-diameter pipe that constantly clogged, resulting in nuisance flooding and icing of the road. We replaced it with a 3-foot-by-3-foot box culvert with an outlet control weir. This structure maintains the lake level during dry weather and conveys flows during large storm events.
To accommodate the larger outlet structure, our design included raising the elevation of the road. To reduce the impacts of this elevation change on the adjacent resources, we converted the road to a one-lane, two-way road with stop signs to allow for vehicle passing.
We also completed a 50 percent design addressing roadway reconstruction needs, with considerations for maximum corridor usage, bank stabilization, and stormwater control and treatment. Community feedback supported the conversion of an existing roadway to a recreational path, providing a safe and low-impact trail for walking, running, and cycling, while preserving limited access for a private residence, a swimming pool club, and first responders.
In Phase 3, Woodard & Curran, supported by Kyle Zick Landscape Architect, completed the final design and permitting for improvements to Lake Mansfield Road and the adjacent parking and recreation areas. Construction began with site clearing in January 2024 and reached substantial completion in November 2024
In June 2025, GBLC celebrated the completion of these improvements by hosting the organization’s annual Bluegrass Celebration and Fundraiser at the Lake Mansfield Recreation Area. GBLC provides conservation stewardship for the recreation area and collaborated closely with the Town and the affiliated project task force throughout planning and implementation of improvement projects.
The project also incorporated bioretention and vegetated stormwater treatment areas to improve runoff quality before it reaches Lake Mansfield. These features collect and filter runoff from the parking and access areas through engineered soil media and plantings, helping reduce sediment, nutrients, and other pollutants entering the lake. Combined with reduced impervious cover and an enhanced vegetated buffer, the stormwater improvements strengthen long-term water quality protection and shoreline resilience.
The recreation area now includes an enlarged parking area with accessible pathways and several new and enhanced amenities, such as playgrounds and changing areas. The existing roadway has been converted to a mixed-use bicycle and pedestrian path that maintains access for visitors and the few houses served by the prior roadway, while improving safety and supporting better water quality. The new box culvert installed at the lake’s outlet has improved flood control, allowing for better flow during high water events and protecting the access road that serves the recreation area.