The Trustees of Reservations is allowing free admission to its Vineyard beaches for walkers and bicyclists this summer and plans to have free vehicle passes available at the Island libraries.
The Trustees of Reservations is allowing free admission to its Vineyard beaches for walkers and bicyclists this summer and plans to have free vehicle passes available at the Island libraries.
The Trustees announced the new options as a way to encourage greater access to its beaches, according to a statement from the nonprofit.
“The Trustees is one of the largest managers of publicly accessible beaches on Martha’s Vineyard,” said Darci Schofield, the Trustees director for the Islands. “Our places are for everyone, forever. We are creating new and diverse opportunities to visit our beaches.”
Vehicle passes for Long Point and Wasque are increasing from $20 a carload to $25 for non-members, and visitors with a family membership will pay $15.
Oversand vehicle permits go on sale starting May 1. The prices have also gone up slightly to reflect the cost of doing business, the Trustees said. Permits for Cape Pogue and Wasque will cost $250.
Starting this year, the permits will include free parking at Wasque.
The Trustees also announced that it is working to make beaches more accessible to people of all abilities. An accessible kayak and transfer benches are being installed at Long Point in West Tisbury, along with a floating beach wheelchair and mobi-mat at Wasque.
Comments
+ $50 increase is a big jump.
Huh?+ $50 increase is a big jump.
Last year the "all access"
John Piekos EdgartownLast year the "all access" sticker (which included free Wasque parking) was $350. I think Wasque parking (beach & fisherman's lot) was $15 or $20 each visit. In this regard, $250 is a bargain - at least to me.
Hopefully we all can move on
Tom OBHopefully we all can move on from the Piping Plovers….
I fondly remember the days of
Michael ChappyI fondly remember the days of OSV access at Wasque and think it's finally time to explore brining it back.
Looking forward to a less
Rich Thompson EdgartownLooking forward to a less contentious beach season this year. Public access to the public beaches of Chappy should not be complicated. The public should not be forced to rely on emergency rescue operations by state agencies such as the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Massachusetts Department of Marine Fisheries and the Massachusetts Land Court. Unfortunately, a select group of egregiously entitled Cape Poge landowners have forced the recent involvement of these agencies. Taxpayer resources have been squandered as these agencies defend public access to the public beaches of Chappy. The exasperating pursuit of these landowners to convert a public beach into a private playground is the height of self-indulgence. Ultimately, these delusional attempts at beach theft will exist only in fantasy, but they can serve a purpose – to be studied as an historic monument to hubris.
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