GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — Lake Mansfield in Great Barrington is open after a yearslong construction project to improve the park. 

The beach and recreation area closed last year and welcomed visitors back Monday.

“We have a nice pedestrian walkway now along the whole side of the lake the beach and the whole beach park has been done, so this somewhat of a soft opening, we haven’t really publicized it, but we have told people this is the first day we have lifeguards on duty,” said Bill Meier, parks commissioner.

There are new walking trails and benches, part of a nearly $2 million renovation largely paid for with grants. 

And to help protect the water, the project also turned an eroding Lake Mansfield Road into a pedestrian-only lane.

“I like to take walks and it’s a lot safer now with no traffic going by, so I don’t have to keep looking back behind me and so on and so forth. It’s a beautiful place. It’s a pearl,” said Great Barrington resident Jack Passetto.

Visitors can access the park through Christian Hill Road, where a larger parking lot awaits to help accommodate more people, like Louis Gabriel, who came with his grandchildren and likes the upgrades to the area.  

“The road doesn’t go all the way through anymore so can’t get the stuff from the cars into the lake oils and so on and they have a better parking area… I don’t see the restrooms yet but...,” said Louis Gabriel.

There will be bathrooms and changing rooms added before July 4.

Plantings are being added along the pedestrian walk on Mansfield Road to help prevent and filter any sediment which may run into the lake. 

They plan is to have lifeguards on duty here this summer from 12-6 p.m.