The Barcelona Harbor is a beautiful place, however, more than anything it suffers from the manner in which its key assets are divided and its lack of pedestrian connectivity and maneuverability. In response to this painfully obvious issue, various planning documents have called for the installation of a boardwalk, allowing for easy and safe walkability between the Southern beach, restaurant, marina, lighthouse, parking area, and northern beach area. We anticipate that the boardwalk would include access stairs up to the street level where the lighthouse is located, connecting to and building upon recent streetscape improvements.
The Boardwalk is the most important of the Barcelona Harbor DRI projects. Not only does it connect existing assets, but it acts as a spine for additional improvements proposed herein, including the stage/performance area, the fishing tug restoration, and fish cleaning station. It would allow for views and perspectives on the water, which are currently difficult or even dangerous to obtain. It would promote walking and the associated public health benefits, while also providing leisure opportunities for watching the sunset or a musical or artistic performance.
The Barcelona Boardwalk would immediately transform the harbor from a local amenity to a true tourist destination. This would drive additional private investment and development. The Boardwalk and stairs solve the harbor’s greatest problem, disconnectedness and barriers to pedestrian mobility.