Metropolitan Beaches Commission
Boston region, Massachusetts
Analysis and public hearing process to develop recommendations for improving public beaches in the Boston metro area.
Project Highlights:
- The dramatic success of the Boston Harbor cleanup produced some of the cleanest water in urban America. Fifteen miles of public swimming beachs, however, have not shown the same progress and represent largely untapped economic and environmental potential for the region.
- The state legislature established a commission to assess the region’s beaches and identify actions to enhance them. Goody Clancy was asked to assist the commission in developing a public process and compiling a final report.
- In public meetings held in each beachfront community, the commission heard from hundreds of residents and beachgoers. The commissions's final recommendations identified the need for new funding for beach maintenance, but it also highlighted a need for stronger management and accountability. The report also called for development of stronger partnerships between government agencies and "friends" groups; establishment of new waterside programs; and expanded citizen involvement in beach management through a public advisory board.
"...if we continue to work together we can make sure that 20 years from now we won’t need another beaches commission, and instead will again have beaches we can all be proud to use and share."
State Senator Jack Hart and Representative Anthony Petruccelli, commission co-chairs