Building Resilience: How Hull’s Dune Restoration is Protecting the Future of North Nantasket Beach

Project Overview

As part of the Town of Hull’s ongoing efforts to enhance coastal resiliency, we are excited to highlight the North Nantasket Beach Resilience Dune Restoration Project. This project, which focuses on restoring and fortifying key sections of the 2-mile-long primary dune along North Nantasket Beach, is vital for flood damage protection and providing a habitat for critical species. 

Key Accomplishments

131 to 145 Beach Avenue:
In this section, we led the design, permitting, and construction of a 400-foot stretch of primary coastal dune that had been severely degraded over the years due to its use as a parking area. This area was previously a significant storm flood pathway, and the restored dune now offers much-needed protection against flooding. Additionally, we designed and permitted a new waterfront access path for residents, ensuring safer and more convenient access to the beach.

23 to 53 Beach Avenue/Malta Street:
For this 800-foot section of degraded coastal dune, we completed the design and permitting phases, enabling the Town of Hull to secure a Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Resiliency Grant. This funding was crucial for conducting the necessary field surveys and coastal process analysis. The construction of this section was successfully completed, resulting in improved dune continuity and enhanced protection against storm damage.

A Street:
In collaboration with our project partner Kleinfelder, we designed and permitted the restoration of a dune along with the installation of an ADA-compliant walkway and emergency access over a previously degraded section. This project was completed in 2021, providing essential flood protection while also improving public access to the beach.

These projects underscore our commitment to advancing coastal resilience and protecting vulnerable communities. We are proud to have played a pivotal role in making Hull’s shoreline more resilient to the impacts of climate change.