EDGARTOWN, Mass. – The Trustees today announced that over-sand vehicle (OSV) permits for 2025 will be available for purchase online starting May 1. The Trustees also announced some new admissions options for the beaches it manages meant to encourage greater access to its Chappaquiddick beaches.
This season, free admission will be given to those walking or bicycling to all Trustees beaches on Chappaquiddick and Long Point Wildlife Refuge. This change reflects The Trustees’ focus on decarbonization efforts at its special places. Trustees’ members at the contributing member level will enjoy free entry to Long Point and Wasque. The Trustees also will provide libraries on Martha’s Vineyard with free vehicle entry passes for Long Point and Wasque. The passes may be checked out with a local library card.
“The Trustees is one of the largest managers of publicly accessible beaches on Martha’s Vineyard. Our places are for everyone, forever. We are creating new and diverse opportunities to visit our beaches,” said Darci Schofield, The Trustees’ director for The Islands. “We hope all will feel they belong here and gain more understanding on the importance of protecting the beach ecosystem. New this year, we are offering free admission for folks walking or bicycling to our beaches at Long Point and Chappaquiddick. Additionally, we are thrilled to partner with Martha’s Vineyard libraries to offer a vehicle entry pass for free beach parking that library patrons may check out to enjoy a day at the beach.”
Additionally, The Trustees is working to advance Beaches Within Reach with new accessibility measures this summer. This includes a fully accessible kayak and transfer benches at Long Point Wildlife Refuge, a floating beach wheelchair, and a coconut fiber mobi mat at Wasque with the support of the MV Community Foundation and Slough Farm.
Vehicle entry passes for Long Point and Wasque will also increase from $20 a carload to $25 for non-members, while visitors with a Family Membership will pay $15 a carload in 2025. Contributing Membership provides free parking to Long Point and Wasque.
OSV permits can be purchased online at https://thetrustees.org/program/mv-osv-permits/. Prices have increased slightly this year and reflect the increased cost of doing business. The last price increase for the OSV permit occurred in 2017. Revenue collected from OSV permit sales funds beach operations each year, including hiring of staff, patrols, vehicles, 10 portable public restrooms on Chappy, shorebird protection, the island education and scholarship programs, legal fees and other supplies.
The Trustees are updating the Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge and Wasque OSV permit. Priced at $250 per season, the permit includes OSV access to Cape Poge and Leland Beach, along with free parking at Wasque. The free parking at Wasque is a new benefit for 2025, making it even easier for anglers and visitors to enjoy this cherished spot. The “All-Over Martha’s Vineyard” OSV permit includes Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge, Leland Beach, Wasque, and Long Point and provides a Contributing Level Trustees membership. The cost of the “All-Over Martha’s Vineyard” OSV permit is $380 this year.
Every dollar from OSC permit sales directly supports beach operations, conservation efforts, and access maintenance. The Trustees are dedicated to preserving historical beach access and appreciate the community’s continued support in keeping this tradition alive, Schofield said.
For more information on The Trustees’ beaches on Chappaquiddick, please visit https://thetrustees.org/trustees-on-marthas-vineyard/.
About The Trustees
Founded by landscape architect Charles Eliot in 1891, The Trustees has, for over 130 years, been a catalyst for important ideas, endeavors, and progress in Massachusetts. As a steward of distinctive and dynamic places of both historic and cultural value, The Trustees is the nation’s first preservation and conservation organization, and its landscapes and landmarks continue to inspire discussion, innovation, and action today as they did in the past. We are a nonprofit, supported by members, friends and donors and our 124 sites are destinations for residents, members, and visitors alike, welcoming millions of guests annually. www.thetrustees.org.
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