Land Bank purchases five acres in Tisbury

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The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank has purchased land in Tisbury that it says will triple the public's access to beachfront. — Gabrielle Mannino

The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank on Friday announced the purchase of beachfront land on Herring Creek Road in Tisbury, according to an email from James Lengyel, the Land Bank’s executive director.

The property, which includes 663 and 681 Herring Creek Road, features 400 feet of shoreline on Vineyard Sound, according to the Land Bank’s Facebook page.

“As the new property abuts the town/county beach at the mouth of Lake Tashmoo, the public shore frontage there has now essentially tripled,” the post states.

In a brief conversation with The Times, Lengyel said the appeal of the property was its proximity to town and county properties. “Where logical, we try to buy property that builds on lands already in conservation,” he said.

The land was purchased from Virginia Ursin for $1.9 million. It includes five acres, and contains two summer cottages; they will be removed and the dune will be restored to its natural condition.

“A preliminary management plan was adopted by the Land Bank,” the post states. “It calls for the land to be open for swimming, fishing, boating, and similar riparian uses. Nesting terns, if any, will be protected according to established protocols.”

According to that plan, a biological survey will be done to identify rare and endangered species, if any. A coastal engineer will be hired to assess “the wisdom of removing all riprap and groins.”

The plan calls for allowing fishing, as well as seeking recommendations on allowing hunting of waterfowl. Swimming and boating would be allowed, as well as hiking and other passive uses, according to the plan.

The Land Bank hopes to have a complete management plan done within 12 months and to have the property available to the public in the summer of 2019.

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. Such a beautiful spot on the island! Excited to see it restored to its natural condition. Imagine how people encountered this land, thousands of years ago.

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