Beacon Institute for Rivers and Estuaries

Beacon, NY

The landscape at the Rivers and Estuaries Center is a living landscape. All of its varied features, from woodland to wetland, demonstrate the principles that make water systems absolutely central to the ecologies of the region and the world. The Center is a dynamic place, where research, investigation, monitoring, dialogue and debate are cultivated within a learning landscape. Outdoor classrooms, laboratories, resting places and paths link constructed and existing wetlands, remediated post-industrial landscapes, a closed landfill and enhanced woodlands. The design for the center encompasses many different phases and conditions found within local river and estuary systems. The pier at Beacon Landing will demonstrate how life can thrive on manmade waterfront structures. The new trails and parking on the landfill will illustrate how this noxious use can actually succeed to better program. The woodland at Denning’s Point will demonstrate the latest practices in forest management. The estuary that is sheltered by Denning’s Point will perform key ecosystem services such as tidal flushing, flood control, and phytoremediation. The layout of the Center leads people through a process of learning about their environment, particularly about how rivers and estuaries work.

with WRT and Gensler

Completed: 2008