Constitution Beach facts for kids
Constitution Beach is a special, man-made sandy beach in East Boston, a neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts. It's shaped like a crescent moon and is a popular spot for locals, who sometimes call it "Shays Beach." This beach opened in 1952 and offers a unique experience because it's right next to Logan International Airport.
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Welcome to Constitution Beach!
Constitution Beach is a fantastic place to spend a day. It's not just any beach; it was actually built by people! This beach covers about 223 acres (90 ha) of land. It's a great example of how we can create new spaces for fun and relaxation.
A Beach with a View
One of the coolest things about Constitution Beach is its amazing view. You can look directly at the runways of Logan International Airport. This means you'll see huge airplanes taking off and landing very close by. They are only about 2,000 feet (610 m) away! You can see and hear them clearly, which is super exciting.
How the Beach Was Built
Building Constitution Beach was a big project! Workers created this land between December 1949 and May 1951. They used a special method called hydraulically dredging. This means they used water to move sand and gravel from one place to fill in another. About 34.1 acres (13.8 ha) of new land was added. Soon after, in 1952, the beach was ready for everyone to enjoy.
Fun Things to Do!
Even though it's part of the Atlantic Ocean, the water at Constitution Beach is usually calm. This is because the beach is in a protected inlet. It's a safe place to swim and play.
The beach has lots of cool facilities for visitors:
- There are bathhouse facilities where you can change and shower.
- You can grab a bite at the snack bar.
- Kids will love the children's playground.
- If you like sports, there are courts for handball, basketball, and tennis.
- You'll also find baseball fields.
- And for winter fun, there's an indoor ice rink!
Getting There Safely
When the beach was first built, an overpass was also constructed. This special bridge allowed pedestrians (people walking) to cross over busy subway tracks. It made it much safer and easier to reach the beach from Bennington Street. The original overpass started to get old in the 1990s, so a brand new one was built to keep everyone safe.
