Dune reconstruction on Norton Point Beach

A beach resiliency project launched in late 2021 on Martha’s Vineyard, with dune restoration and the relocation of an oversand vehicle (OSV) trail taking place on Trustees-managed Norton Point Beach.

The project began after the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management (CZM) awarded a $240,674 grant to the Town of Edgartown in August, to restore the primary coastal dune on South Beach and Norton Point Beach, relocate one of three bathhouses 50 feet inland, and remove an asphalt lot. The Trustees and Dukes County are project partners in this restoration work 

Ultimately the project aims to strengthen the resiliency of the coastal landscape, while also protecting public access, by moving the current OSV trail further inland, away from its current vulnerable position. 

“This dune restoration will take place along a vulnerable stretch of beach, where repeated overwash events from tides and storms have completely eroded the primary dune,” noted Tom O’Shea, Trustees Managing Director of Resources and Planning. “By restoring the primary dune we can help to protect the vital habitat on the beach and behind it, and maintain public access to this beloved property, which faces accelerating challenges in coming years from the impacts of climate change.” 

For more information about this work, visit the Trustees MV Facebook page, and explore project updates below: 

With 120 miles of coastline in its care, The Trustees is the largest private owner of protected coastline in the state, and is focused on trying new, innovative projects and solutions to help adapt and protect its vulnerable properties. This resiliency project, announced in August, follows publication of The Trustees second annual State of the Coast report, which explores current and future climate change-related risks to Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, and the Elizabeth Islands, as well as potential paths forward.