To the Editor:
Allow me to provide an update on the beach theft in progress on Cape Poge. A select group of 10 (but not all) Cape Poge landowners continues to exasperate thousands of Island residents and visitors with their ceaseless assault on public beach access. Given the sublime natural beauty of the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge and the enticing prospect of having it all to yourself, even the most noble among us might be tempted to partake in this brand of Veruca Salt behavior. But this update is not about moral judgment. It is about rule of law, common sense, and common courtesy. It is about neighborly goodwill (or lack thereof).
It is important to note that support for public beach access is not delineated by interest groups — it is Cape Poge landowners versus the public writ large. The initial strategy of the obstructionists was to pit the public against the stewards of this property, the Trustees. This doomed plot has met its appropriate demise as the public bore witness to the misadventures of these schemers.
In the latest example of outrageous hypocrisy, one Cape Poge obstructionist has been cited by the town for building a deck on this cherished sanctuary, without obtaining the necessary permits required in this fragile zone. This self-inflicted wound will prove fatal to their disingenuous campaign of environmental protection. This is yet another instance of feigned environmental concern which crumbles upon cursory inspection.
One would think this group would defend themselves from the public uproar to their actions. Perhaps they would like to clear the air, and their good name. But after recently building a locked gate across a right of way, the owners of the clandestine construction project had “no further comment.”
This select group of Cape Poge landowners wish to enjoy unlimited vehicle access for themselves, friends, catering staff, landscapers, and deck builders, while denying any access to the public. Are the trucks of their countless vehicles fitted with magic tires that leave no print? Their duplicity is stunning. Their rulebook reads “Heads I win, tails you lose.”
We all understand the capricious spirit of the natural world. Lack of beach access caused by nesting plovers and winter storm erosion is accepted by the public.
Mother Nature may take as she pleases, but the public will never extend this same courtesy to egregiously entitled landowners.
The ultimate resolution to beach access on Cape Poge will require compromise by both the thousands of interested members of society and the handful of abutting landowners. It is now time to move on from this embarrassing episode and finalize a thoughtful solution that respects nature, abutters, the public, and rule of law. As I have said many times, sunlight is the best disinfectant.
Rich Thompson
Edgartown
I’m not sure that I understand the concern. What are the obstacles?
My wife and I I regularly enjoy the entire Cape Poge area and encounter no obstacles. We travel by foot or kayak. The trip is delightful.
Many others travel out there by boat. Access is free and open to all.
I compare it to exploring the bottom of Grand Canyon. While some may want the government to build a highway nature simply requires us o walk to enjoy nature’s splendor.
Try it! You might find ,as we do, that the landowners out there are friendly and accommodating.
Hi David
Thanks for your question. Visiting Cape Poge on foot requires walking 6.2 miles from the Chappy ferry. This is excessive for most humans (even without kids). Chappy beaches represent 35 percent of the total public beach area on the Island but there are only 20 public parking spots (vs 450 spots at South Beach). The only way to access the public beaches on Chappy is by over sand vehicle, over the exact same paths that CP landowners use. This is not a matter of preference or indolence. This is the simple reason that responsible OSV access has successfully existed for decades (unlike your Grand Canyon thought exercise). And now, using various legal contrivances, select CP landowners seek to sever existing public access, while maintaining unlimited personal access. This scenario is completely unacceptable to the public. I find your suggestion of “using a boat for access” to be tone deaf. Most residents and visitors to our Island cannot afford a boat, nor should they be forced to use one to access a public beach while abutting landowners enjoy unlimited car access to the same beach. I welcome your response!
Appreciate you sharing your experience. I think what you’re describing—friendly landowners, open shoreline for kayaks—actually highlights part of the misunderstanding: it creates the impression that everything is accessible when, in reality, the access being discussed isn’t about a pleasant paddle or a long hike. It’s about public over-sand vehicle (OSV) access on historic trails that have existed for decades, and the precedent being set when a handful of abutters install locked gates to block them.
This isn’t really about how you or I choose to visit Cape Poge. It’s about whether a small group of private owners gets to unilaterally erase public access to OSV trails that predate most of their houses. If that principle is allowed to stand, it doesn’t matter if you prefer to walk, kayak, or drive—because the precedent will be that private property lines override historic public access.
Even if you personally don’t need OSV access, the question is whether future generations will have the same choices we did. Once public OSV access is shut off, it’s almost never restored. That’s why this fight is happening now.