Parks: Shoring Up The Steep Banks At Levingston Cove

Achieving universal accessibility at Crystal Lake's shoreline parkBy Cassie BethoneyOne of only a few public parks along the shores of Crystal Lake, Louise Levingston Cove is a linear, half-acre public park located in a residential neighborhood. Crystal Lake, and Levingston Cove in particular, is a place of nostalgia, where people learned to fish as kids, launched kayaks, or simply enjoyed some alone time, taking in spectacular views. During the peak summer months, people are making use of the lawn, benches, a fishing wall, and ample shade. However, the park’s long and narrow geographic footprint, steep shoreline, beautiful but heavy shade, and poorly managed circulation have resulted in considerable damage to the physical landscape over the years. These challenges, though, became assets with a redesign centered on universal accessibility, developed in close partnership with the local community, the Newton Parks, Recreation, and Culture Department, and Weston & Sampson’s Design Studio.