Prior to 1940, Mastic beach was a destination for leisure activities: the ocean was a playground for the kids and the beach was a recreational space. But after Hurricane Sandy and the resulting erosion and flood risk, Mastic beach lost its identity as a space for leisure and community. We intend to reintroduce these characteristics on the site. Beach Lab x Leisure is a catalyst that will raise public consciousness of five areas of Mastic Beach’s restoration project. This strip of beachfront is unique and rare in Long Island because it’s 6.5 miles of publicly accessible beach amidst a rich, privatized beachfront that requires permitted access. Thus, this project not only generates prototypes for leisure but also introduces a platform to promote social justice and democratically accessible beachfront. It redefines the concept of leisure, and what it means to build on the water to address the needs of contemporary environmental challenges.
