Can you say Crown Jewels?
This 173 acre preserve on Tisbury Great Pond is magnificent. Go there to walk, watch, wander, kayak, fish, and wonder why every town in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts doesn’t have a land bank. And don’t forget you can now kayak over to the ocean for a dip–if you bring your own kayak.
From the Land Bank’s Description:
The hand-shaped Tisbury Great Pond — formed when the glacier melted and its water ran off in linear streams—is splendid. Almost 11,000 feet of shorefront are conserved here, much of which is visible from the trails along the Tiah’s and Tississa Coves. The beach at the southerly point is often broad and sandy (watch for oyster shells—razor sharp!). Predominantly wooded, the reservation also includes grasslands and a savanna, restored by the land bank as part of a plan to increase foraging habitat for hawks and owls. Ocean swimming is available to visitors with boats; the trek over to the land bank’s Tisbury Great Pond Beach (property no. 57) is, however, longer than the eye would otherwise suggest.
Getting there: 1.2 miles down New Lane from the Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, turn right onto the dirt road. The main trailhead, for hikers and canoes, is located a short distance down the road; the boat landing is located at the end of the road.
For more information, visit the official Land Bank Website. Also, be sure to check out their cool map.
