GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. - Lake Mansfield is one of the most popular swimming spots in Great Barrington, and now the town has a new plan to renovate the lakefront and make the area more accessible and ecologically sound.

The town unveiled the $1.8 million project at a virtual public information session this week.

One of the biggest changes is the closing of lake Mansfield Road and turning it into a pedestrian path, which will help prevent the road degrading and polluting the lake.

The plans also include the leveling and paving of the current dirt parking lot, and updating the playground equipment next to the beach.

Town planning director Christopher Rembold said these improvements are necessary to make sure the lake stays accessible as more people use it each year.

"It's becoming more and more popular as people are seeking ways to get outside, especially during the pandemic, and in these hotter summers, people are seeking ways to cool off,” said Rembold, who also serves as the town’s assistant town administrator. “So Lake Mansfield is important for all of those reasons, and if we can keep the lake healthy for the long term, that means it will still be available to us for the long term to use for recreation and our enjoyment."

The goal for the next year or so is to finalize the plans and secure the funding for the project, with the aim of starting construction in the spring of 2023. 

The full plans can be viewed at the Great Barrington town website.