Resource Management Plan
Fort Phoenix Planning Unit

Located along the northwestern shore of Buzzards Bay are Fort Phoenix State Reservation, Nasketucket Bay State Reservation, and West Island State Reservation. Collectively, these three reservations comprise the Fort Phoenix Planning Unit.

Although each property provides public access to the Bay, they offer different visitor experiences. Fort Phoenix State Reservation offers a guarded beach, picnic facilities, and a variety of recreation activities. Nasketucket Bay State Reservation offers visitors the opportunity to walk quiet, wooded trails through a rare Coastal Forest/Woodland, surrounded by oaks and American holly. West Island State Reservation offers the opportunity to experience peaceful walks through forests and along the edges of a barrier beach and salt marsh. All provide visitors the opportunity to experience the nature of Buzzards Bay.

Resource Management Plans (RMPs) are working documents that consider the past, present and future of a property. They draw on available existing information to provide an inventory and assessment of existing conditions and activities, enabling the DCR to establish guidelines for future management. Results of this planning process include guidance for short and long-term management of properties and identification of priorities for capital and operating budgets.

Public input is an important component of the process. It enhances communication and cooperation among the DCR, park visitors, stakeholders, partners, and the surrounding communities.

Comments regarding this project may be sent to dcr.updates@state.ma.us, noting “Fort Phoenix RMP” in the subject line. They may also be sent to the Department of Conservation and Recreation, Office of Public Outreach, 251 Causeway Street, Suite 600, Boston, MA 02114. All comments submitted to the DCR may be posted in their entirety on the DCR website.

Updates and materials concerning the Fort Phoenix resource management planning process will be posted at www.mass.gov/dcr/news/publicmeetings/rmp.htm.

Project Manager

Paul Cavanagh

Department of Conservation & Recreation

Southeast Region Headquarters

194 Cranberry Road

South Carver, MA  02366

(508) 866-2580  x122

Paul.Cavanagh@state.ma.us