A More Resilient Park
A ribbon cutting ceremony commemorating the re-opening of Kitchi Gammi Park/Brighton Beach was held on Monday, October 28 by the historic stone pavilion. Reconstruction of Brighton Beach consisted of four components: road relocation and reconstruction, shoreline stabilization, improved access to the shoreline, and more sustainable park landscaping and amenities. These projects make Kitchi Gammi Park/Brighton Beach more resilient by protecting infrastructure from future storms. Over the years, the park has suffered through severe storms that brought great destruction, shoreline erosion, and damaged roads.
The new one-way road and pedestrian pathways have been separated from one another for safety and ease of movement among visitors. Moving the road farther away from the shoreline protects it from severe damage caused by storms, saving money and labor-intensive time spent on repairs. New accessible pathways, made from cement or packed gravel, now connect visitors from their parking spot to the shoreline.
New amenities such as permanent vault bathrooms, dedicated recycling and waste bins, hammock stands, and new picnic tables make for a more enjoyable experience at the park. Visitors can also find pet waste stands to easily dispose of their dog’s waste. Properly disposing of pet waste helps reduce stormwater contamination and creates a more welcoming space to recreate in.
Drainage was also a consideration, to reduce erosion and daylight small creeks that used to be in culverts. Daylighting restores creeks to a more natural state with soil and native plantings, which help control stormwater runoff. Visitors may also notice more native plantings around the park which also help to prevent water runoff.
The reconstruction projects that took place over the last four years all had a part in preserving the shoreline, preventing future storm damage, and prioritizing visitor accessibility for years to come. All of these sustainability features support the Duluth Essential Spaces Master Plan’s vision to promote the health and well-being of our community, environment, and economy by facilitating recreational opportunities and coordinating the enhancement of our parks, facilities, and natural resources now and into the future. A big thank you to the staff in multiple city departments, community members, and all the contractors who worked on this $6.4 million project over the past four years.
