Updated June 7
Due to piping plover nesting, Norton Point will be closed to vehicle traffic on Saturday, June 7, for about four to five weeks, according to an alert issued by the town of Edgartown.
Stewardship Manager of the Trustees of Reservations Chris Kennedy told the Times Norton Point will still honor over sand vehicle permits to access the eastern end of Norton Point Beach over the Dike bridge in Chappy. More plover nests are due to hatch on Leland Beach and Norton Point Beach over the next week.
“Given the limited amount of available beach at the Katama (western) end of Norton Point, the Trustees will temporarily honor Norton Point Beach permits via the Dike Bridge access point on Chappaquiddick Island so that Norton Point beach visitors may drive over sand to Norton Point from the Chappy (eastern) end of the beach. Once over the Dike Bridge you MUST travel south on the inside trails at Leland Beach to access Norton Point,” a facebook post from the trustees said.
The closure is mandated by state and federal laws that protect shore birds. Updates and maps are posted to The Trustees of Reservation Facebook page at facebook.com/trusteesmv.
Updated to add trustees update, facebook post, and piping plover.
