Trails along the James Pond waterfront and a new section of Lambert’s Cove Beach may be open to Island residents before the end of the year.

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank announced on Tuesday that it had significantly expanded its landholdings adjacent to Lambert’s Cove Beach for $8.4 million.

A property fronting James Pond and Vineyard Sound is the latest purchase by the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank in what is shaping up to be an active year for the public conservation organization.

Dogs will not be allowed on Lambert’s Cove Beach for the remainder of the pandemic, the West Tisbury board of health announced Friday.

Lambert’s Cove Beach will open to sticker holders this summer, but parking capacity will be cut in half, the West Tisbury parks and recreation committee decided Tuesday.

West Tisbury wants to make Lambert’s Cove Beach more accessible for elderly residents and people with disabilities. That’s the idea behind a subcommittee formed Tuesday night at the West Tisbury conservation commission.