Wasque facts for kids

Wasque (pronounced "way-squee") or Wasque Beach is a special nature reserve covering about 200 kilometers on Chappaquiddick Island. This island is part of Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts. Wasque became a public reserve in 1967. It is one of five conservation areas on "the Vineyard" managed by The Trustees of Reservations. People often call Wasque Beach "a magnificent beach" and even the number one beach in New England. It is known for being "pristine, serene, and a beach-goers' delight." Near Wasque Beach is Katama Bay, a large, clean saltwater bay with many areas where shellfish like clams and oysters grow.

Nature and Wildlife at Wasque

Wasque is home to a unique sand barrens ecosystem. This means it has a special sandy environment. This type of habitat is rare and found in only a few places from Maine to New Jersey. The land at Wasque was shaped by ancient glaciers that left behind sand and rocks. The soil here is sandy, dry, and a bit acidic, which is perfect for certain plants.

Plants of Wasque

You can find different types of plants growing in this sandy soil. These include coastal heathlands, oak and pitch pine woodlands, and sandplain grasslands. Some of the interesting plants you might see are beach plum, bearberry, blackberry, black huckleberry, blue toadflax, bluets, chokeberry, dwarf cinquefoil, golden heather, late lowbush blueberry, Nantucket shadbush, rockrose, and yellow stargrass. These plant areas are very rare around the world. To keep them healthy, people manage the land carefully. This includes letting domesticated animals graze on the grass, cutting back plants, and even using controlled burning.

Animals and Birds of Wasque

Wasque is also home to many rare animal species. These animals need the special conditions of these habitats to survive. It's a fantastic spot for fishing and birdwatching. You might see blue herons, egrets, and ducks in the marshes. Many migrating shorebirds also stop here. Ospreys are often seen diving into the Atlantic Ocean to catch fish. If you love butterflies, look for monarchs, sulphur butterflies, and red admirals. They stop at Wasque to drink nectar from wildflowers before continuing their long journey south.

History of Wasque Beach

Long ago, Algonquian people used to camp at this site during warm weather. The name "Wasque" is believed to come from wannasque, an Algonquian word that means "the ending."

European Settlement and Land Plans

European settlers arrived in this part of Chappaquiddick Island around 1750. In the 1800s, there were plans to develop the land. One idea, called "Chappaquiddick-by-the-Sea," would have created a huge area with 750 small plots of land, wide roads, parks, and yacht facilities. However, these plans never happened. When the land was bought for public use in 1967, there were only a few homes in the area.

Visiting Wasque Beach

Wasque Beach and its nature reserve are a bit remote. They are about 70 miles south of Boston, off the coast of Cape Cod. To get to Martha's Vineyard, you can take a Steamship Authority ferry from Falmouth or Woods Hole on mainland Cape Cod. You can also bring your Bicycles and motor vehicles on the ferry for an extra fee. Once on Martha's Vineyard, a small ferry from Edgartown will take you to Chappaquiddick.

Access and Activities

The Wasque property is open 24 hours a day, all year round. Because of serious beach erosion at Wasque Point, you can no longer drive vehicles over the sand from the nearby Cape Poge Wildlife Refuge. This used to be allowed, except sometimes in summer to protect rare shorebird nests.

Wasque is a fantastic place for recreational fishing. People have caught bonito near the Wasque rip and Menemsha jetties. Bluefish and large Striped bass (weighing 10-15 pounds) have also been reported. Some years, the waters off Wasque Beach are full of these game fish. Dedicated anglers sometimes just sit in their vehicles, watching the water for signs that the fishing conditions are good.