Other Recreation
Hiking & Birding
More than 300 species of birds inhabit and frequent the Island including the
European cuckoo, Blackburnian warbler, Magnolia warbler, Baybreasted warbler, Canada
warbler and the Black-throated blue warbler. The first North American and Western
hemisphere record of the Red-footed Falcon was recorded on Martha’s Vineyard in
August of 2004, drawing birding enthusiasts from around the world.
Miles of hiking trails are also varied and plentiful on the Island. The organizations
below offer a plethora of properties for hiking or spotting a rare species.
Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank
www.mvlandbank.com
508-627-7141
This organization purchases open land with revenues collected from real estate transactions.
Walking and recreational opportunities are widely varied on these properties, which
otherwise would likely not be accessible for public enjoyment. A trail map of all
the Land Bank properties is available at the Land Bank office and at the Chamber
of Commerce.
Felix Neck Sanctuary
www.massaudubon.org/Nature_Connection/ Sanctuaries/Felix_Neck/index.php
508-627-4850
Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, a Massachusetts Audubon Society sanctuary, is located
off the Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Road at the sign, one mile down a dirt road. There
is a small admission fee, but members of the Massachusetts Audubon Society are admitted
free and it is open early morning until 7 pm. In the summer, enjoy such sights as
nesting pairs of ospreys and a tree swallow colony. From the observation building,
look for wood ducks and other waterfowl in the pond during the fall and winter.
In the spring, barn owls may also be seen nesting in the barn loft. Felix Neck offers
a number of short, self-guided trails through part of its extensive Edgartown acreage.
Described by former director Gus Ben David as "delightful family walking trails,"
the paths go through meadows, woods, along marshlands, and ponds, with fine views
of resident bird life. Most trails are wheelchair accessible. No dogs, please.
Guided Birding Tours
rculbert@gis.net
508-693-4908
Take a personalized guided birding tour. Learn their identification, behavior, ecology,
and where to find them! You will explore the birding hotspots of Martha’s Vineyard,
venture into woodlands and fields for migrating songbirds, beaches for shorebirds,
and ponds for waterfowl. Public programs offered every Saturday from 9am - 11:30am,
rain or shine, from May to November. Each tour is customized to the participants’
interests. Tour leader Robert Culbert also offers year round, private, individual
and group tours. Call or email for information.
Polly Hill Arboretum
www.pollyhillarboretum.org
508-696-9538
The Polly Hill Arboretum is a 70-acre property containing the results of Polly Hill’s
fifty years of study to develop the best plants and trees to grow on the Vineyard.
More than 2,000 individual taxa, including azaleas, camellias, clematis, crabapples,
dogwoods, hollies, magnolias, pines, rhododendrons, and stewartia on display, most
grown from seed. No dogs, please. Tours available daily.
Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation
www.sheriffsmeadow.org
508-693-5207
Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation protects more than 2,000 acres of Vineyard land, open
for public walking. Leashed dogs are allowed. For a complete list of Sheriff’s Meadow
properties and trails maps, visit their website.
The Trustees of Reservations
www.thetrustees.org
508-693-7662
The Trustees of Reservations is one of the
oldest conservation organizations in the
nation. Since 1891, The Trustees has preserved,
for public use and enjoyment, properties
of exceptional scenic, historic, and
ecological value. On the Vineyard, The
Trustees own five properties and offer a variety
of natural history tours and programs, including
canoe or kayak expeditions, trips to
the Cape Poge Lighthouse and barrier
beaches by over-sand vehicle, walking tours,
as well as kids programs.
Vineyard Conservation Society
www.vcs.vineyard.net.
508-693-9588
Founded in 1965, the Vineyard Conservation
Society (VCS) works with landowners,
colleague organizations, and public officials
to conserve land, monitor growth and development,
promote environmental awareness,
encourage public participation, and advocate
on behalf of the natural resources of
the Island. The society also sponsors a wide
range of public activities, including the popular
guided Winter Walks program, summer
lectures at the Wakeman Center, educational
seminars and workshops on a range
of environmental topics, and the annual
Earth Day All-Island Beach Clean-Up.
Vineyard Open Land Foundation
www.islanderis.net/users/VOLF
508-693-3280
The Vineyard Open Land Foundation (VOLF),
founded in 1970, preserves the rural character
of the Vineyard through conservation
land use planning. The foundation maintains
a public walking trail at Cranberry Acres adjacent
to the Mary Wakeman Center on
Lambert’s Cove Road. The trail winds
through a meadow and woods around the
reservoir ponds, which serve the cranberry
bog.
Arboretums
Camps Day
Exercise & Physical Fitness Programs
Festivals
Golf Courses - Public
Golf Courses Miniature
Health Clubs
Ice Skating Equipment & Supplies
Ice Skating Rinks
Museums
Riding Academies
Tennis Courts Public
Tennis Instruction
Yoga Instruction
Zoos
