To help kick-off Memorial Day weekend, The Trustees announced the completion of a $1.7 million sustainable renovation of the Crane Beach Bathhouses and other expanded visitor amenities at the beach. A ribbon cutting with President and CEO Barbara Erickson will take place at the new bathhouses on Wednesday, May 25 at 10:30AM.
“We are excited to welcome visitors to Crane Beach as we kick off beach season with the unveiling of our much anticipated new, Bathhouses,” says Peter Pinciaro, General Manager for the Crane Estate. “As a conservation organization, it was important to us to renovate the Bathhouse sustainably and reduce water usage at what we affectionately call ‘our most visited building’ in our collection of 116 properties. We look forward to sharing the beach and expanded visitor amenities with our many visitors this season.”
The design of the new Bathhouses, by local Hamilton design firm Allsopp Design, honors the simple spirit of the original structures and sits on the same footprint. Coastal elements including natural pine paneling, exposed timber beams, and skylights to take advantage of the natural light create a bright and airy space. The installation of Clivus Multrum composting toilets will help to reduce water use by 90% and the women’s restrooms have increased in capacity from 10 to 14 stalls. Fully accessible for the mobility impaired, the new ADA-compliant Bathhouses also include two restrooms that will be open year-round and heated.
Other visitor amenities have also been expanded at the beach for the coming season. The Snack Shack, also opening Memorial Day weekend, will offer Appleton Farms grass-fed hamburgers for the first time, in addition to the usual selection of hot dogs, sandwiches, snacks, and drinks. Next to the Snack Shack, the former beach office and first aid station has become a brand new retail shop that will feature beach necessities and accessories such as towels, sunscreen, umbrellas, and chairs, as well as branded t-shirts, sweatshirts, hats, books, and other gifts available for purchase. The First Aid Station has been moved and is now housed in the building with the new Bathhouses.
The Crane Outdoor Adventures Program is back for its 3rd season of exploring the hidden gems of the Crane Estate, with an exciting line up of adventures each month on the grounds of the Crane Estate, the Crane Wildlife Refuge, and the nearby Choate Island. Visitors can chose from a diverse offering of guided hikes and kayak tours, yoga and fitness classes, and family-friendly activities. For a full line-up of events, click here.
Crane Beach, regularly recognized regionally and nationally as a favorite summer beach destination for people from near and far, is more than just exquisite sun, surf, and sand. The beach is managed for both recreation and conservation. Tidal pools and more than five miles of trails wind through coastal dunes, which shield inland areas from storm waves and flooding and also provide important habitat for rare plants, invertebrates, mammals, birds, shellfish, and finfish that live and nest among them. Crane Beach is also among the world’s most important nesting sites for piping plovers, a threatened bird that was nearly hunted to extinction in the 19th century for its eggs and feathers. The Trustees have been nationally recognized for its successful shorebird protection program. Membership and admission fees help to support this critical work and we appreciate your support and care around these efforts.
In addition to supporting this work, membership is a great way to save on parking year-round, as is purchasing a 2016-2017 Crane Beach Parking Permit sticker ($75 for members, available online), which allows Trustees’ members to park at Crane Beach for no additional charge, offering a significant savings for frequent beach visitors.
For parking updates, beach information, policies and more, follow the Trustees on Twitter at @CraneBeachMass and at Facebook.com/CraneEstate.