Our Trails Are Open
From Executive Director, Adam Moore
These lands were given for a purpose—to be sanctuaries.
Across the Island, all of the many miles of trails maintained by Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation remain open for the public to use. The trails and sanctuaries will remain open provided that social distancing rules enacted in each town are strictly followed, and that all restrictions on travel and gatherings are strictly observed. This includes keeping at least a six-foot distance from others at all times, and no gatherings of greater than five people, except for members of a single family or household.
We often refer to conservation lands as sanctuaries. Typically, we think of sanctuaries as wildlife refuges, and indeed, the sanctuaries do provide critical refuges for wildlife. Yet they are also sanctuaries for people. With gratitude to all those who have given these lands for conservation, and to all those who have funded their care and upkeep, these sanctuaries are here for us now.
And we need them. People need a moment to breathe the fresh air. They need space to exercise. With places of worship closed, they need quiet places of reverence.
These lands were given for a purpose —to be sanctuaries. Their time has come. They are serving their intended purpose.
The sanctuaries are here for us. And they will be here for us always, when this malady has passed, and bright and joyful days have returned. For those better days, these trails and sanctuaries give us hope.
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We recommend downloading the free, TrailsMV mobile app. This app contains accurate maps of all of the trails open to the public on the entire island. The app includes not only the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation trails, but all of the trails on the lands of all of our conservation partners.
For those who do not have a mobile device, please know that at all of our larger properties, such as Cedar Tree Neck Sanctuary, West Chop Woods, Caroline Tuthill Preserve, and Middle Road Sanctuary, we have posted mini-maps at all of the major trail junctions. These mini-maps are oriented north, and have a “you are here” dot to help people orient themselves. And if you need to rest, thanks to the “Take a Break” program there is a bench within a mile of most trailheads.
In addition to your social-distancing, please be sure to check for ticks as well. As the weather warms, we’ll be seeing more of them, and ticks are not fans of social-distancing. Also, if you spot a downed tree or hazard on the trail, please alert the Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation office with an email.