This project proposes a series of ecologically sensitive educational spaces on Pleasure Beach—a rare, ecologically significant peninsula in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Once a thriving amusement park, the site has been reclaimed by nature, becoming one of the last remaining wild landscapes in the city. Despite its rich biodiversity, Bridgeport lacks environmental education programs, with neither of its two community colleges offering such initiatives. This project addresses that gap by creating immersive, place-based learning environments that connect people and nature. The design strategy employs a modular system of 20-foot-long prefabricated frames—sized to fit water taxi transport constraints. These lightweight, adaptable structures, including observation platforms and shaded learning areas, are tailored to the peninsula’s diverse ecosystems—forest, field, and shoreline. The project recognizes varying thresholds of human-wildlife interaction: some species can coexist at close range, while others require observation from a respectful distance. Structures are therefore sensitively sited to support both kinds of relationships. Through this network of minimally-invasive structure, the project creates an opportunity for environmental education, ecological awareness, and multi-species coexistence—fostering a new model of stewardship in a city where nature and education rarely meet.
