- Wasque
Wasque ("way-squee" [http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/372_wasque.cfm] Trustees of Reservations: Wasque] ) or Wasque Beach [http://www1.whdh.com/features/articles/great_escapes/BOS2877/] WHDH-TV Great Escape: Wasque Beach (Air Date: Thursday, July 21, 2005)] is a 200-acre
nature reserve onChappaquiddick Island ,Martha's Vineyard ,Massachusetts . The site was established as a reservation for the public in 1967 and is one of five conservation areas on "the Vineyard " [http://www.boston.com/travel/articles/2004/10/17/if_you_go_marthas_vineyard/] October 17, 2004 "Boston Globe" (boston.com) "If you go: Martha's Vineyard"] managed by theTrustees of Reservations . [ [http://www.travelmuse.com/pois/US/MA/007/attractions/cape-poge-wildlife-refuge-and-wasque-reservation-east-shore] TravelMuse: Chappaquiddick Island] [ [http://www.homeandabroad.com/c/100/Site/128989_Cape_Poge_Wildlife_Refuge_and_Wasque_Reservation__East_Shore__visit.html] Home & Abroad 2008] Wasque contains a sandy strand the "Boston Globe " calls "a magnificentbeach ." "Travel + Leisure " named Wasque Beach the number one beach inNew England andWHDH-TV reports "It's pristine, serene, and rain or shine, it's a beach-goers' delight." Off the shore of Wasque Beach is Katama Bay, "a vast and pristinesalt water bay that includes many acres of productiveshellfish beds." [http://www.mvgazette.com/news/2005/02/25/katama_bay_anchorage.php] Vineyard Gazette Online Friday, February 25, 2005]Ecology
Wasque has a sand barrens
ecosystem . One of a number of suchhabitat s in isolated locations fromMaine toNew Jersey , the reservation's landscape and geography were formed by ancient outwash deposits fromglacial till . The free-draining, acidic, dry, and sandy soil sustainscoastal heath lands,oak andpitch pine woodland s, andsand plain grass lands. Wasque is home to such species as Beach Plum,Bearberry ,Blackberry , Black Huckleberry, Blue Toadflax, Bluets, Chokeberry, Dwarf Cinquefoil, Golden Heather, Late Lowbush Blueberry, Nantucket Shadbush, Rockrose, and Yellow Stargrass. [http://www.thetrustees.org/documents.cfm?documentID=207] "A Picture Guide to InterestingFlowering Plants" (of Wasque and environs) by Lloyd RaleighMay 25, 1999] These areas are "globally rare communities" and only maintained through relatively intensiveland management that includesdomesticated animal sgrazing the grass, mechanicalmowing andclearing ofvegetation , and evencontrolled burn ing.A "nature-lover's paradise", the reservation has a number of rare
animal species that depend on the conditions of these habitats, and wasque is a great place forbirdwatching . Observers can spotblue heron s,egret s,duck s, and migratingshorebirds that can be found in themarsh es.Osprey s can be seen swooping down to pluck fish from theAtlantic Ocean . Butterfly watchers can see monarchs, sulphur butterflies, andred admiral s that stop here to drinknectar fromwildflower s before continuing their southward migration.History
Algonquin people camped at this site in warm weather; the name is said to come from "wannasque", an Algonquin word meaning "the ending". European settlement came to this part of Chappaquiddick Island in 1750 or later. Several 19th centuryland speculation proposals never came to fruition. "Chappaquiddick-by-the-Sea," one failed concept forland development , would have included a grid of 750 quarter-acre parcels, broad avenues, public parks, andyacht facilities. In 1967, when the property was purchased for the public, there were only a few homes in the area.Visiting
Relatively remote, this "little-known" beach and nature reserve is about 70 miles south of Boston off the coast of
Cape Cod . Martha's Vinyard is a short Steamship Authorityferry ride from mainland Cape Cod, out of Falmouth or Woods Hole.Bicycle s andmotor vehicles may be transported on the ferry for additional fees. A ferry fromEdgartown on the Vineyard allows one to get to Chappaquiddick. The property is open 24 hours a day all year. Due to severe beacherosion at Wasque Point, one is no longer allowed to take vehicles over the sand to Wasque from adjacentCape Poge Wildlife Refuge . Formerly this was allowed except for occasional summer closures to protect the nest sites of rare shorebirds.Wasque is a great place for recreational fishing. Recent reports of fishing off Wasque Beach have mentioned
bonito that were reeled in at the Wasquerip and Menemshajettie s.Bluefish and 10-15 lbs. Striped bass have been reported as well. [http://www.boston.com/sports/outdoors/articles/2008/08/01/more_of_same____slow/] August 1, 2008 "Boston Globe" Sports (boston.com) "More of same – slow (Arrival of bass may signal uptick)"] In some years, the waters off Wasque Beach have been "hot with both game species." [ [http://www.savetheharbor.org/clips/01_05_25.html Boston Globe "Derby continues mission to keep area waters clean" by Tony Chamberlain, "Globe" Staff, 5/25/2001] (savetheharbor.org)] At times, dedicated anglers have come to the Wasque just to sit in their vehicles “watching the water for signs” that fishing conditions were favorable. [ [http://www.splitrockre.com/2006/05/your-perfect-beach.html Martha's Vineyard Real Estate Insights] (splitrockre.com)]References
External links
* [http://www.thetrustees.org/pages/372_wasque.cfm The Trustees of Reservations: Wasque]
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