Nickerson (Cape & Islands) Complex

Resource Management Plan Adopted by the DCR Stewardship Council

South Cape Beach Boardwalk

The Nickerson Complex includes DCR properties located on Cape Cod and the Islands that share personnel and other management resources.

The Nickerson Complex: provides a variety of recreation facilities, such as salt and freshwater beaches, campgrounds, and a multi-use recreation trail; protects historic and pre-and post-contact cultural resources; provides habitat for rare species and natural communities; and educates visitors about our parks, their resources, and our impacts on the environment of the Cape and Islands.

DCR properties covered in the RMP include: Shawme-Crowell State Forest , Nickerson State Park , Hawksnest State Park, Cape Cod Rail Trail , Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve , Quashnet Woods State Reservation, South Cape Beach State Park , Washburn Island, Manuel F. Correllus State Forest , Joseph A. Sylvia State Beach, South Beach, Nantucket State Forest, reforestation lots, fire towers.

RMP documents

Cover-Executive Summary

Section 1. The Nickerson Management Complex

Section 2. Shawme-Crowell State Forest

Section 3. Waquoit Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve

Section 4. South Cape Beach SP

Section 5. Washburn Island

Section 6. Quashnet Woods State Reservation

Section 7. Roland C. Nickerson State Park

Section 8. Hawksnest State Park

Section 9. Cape Cod Rail Trail

Section 10. Manuel F. Correllus State Forest

Section 11. Joseph A. Sylvia State Beach

Section 12. South Beach State Park

Section 13. Nantucket State Forest

Section 14. Reforestation Lots

Section 15. Fire Observation Towers

Section 16. Appendices

Public process

Public input is an important component of the RMP process, providing a forum for communication and cooperation with park visitors, partners, and surrounding communities, and ensuring transparency in the DCR’s stewardship efforts. On December 5, 2013, DCR hosted a public meeting at Cape Cod Community College to solicit input regarding recreation, stewardship of resources, and park facilities. An open house was held on December 7, 2013, at Manuel F. Correllus State Forest to solicit input from Martha’s Vineyard Residents. A second public meeting was held on January 29, 2015 at West Barnstable Fire Station to present the draft RMP and hear public questions and comments on the material covered in the plan. A second open house was held at Manuel F. Correllus State Forest on February 7, 2015. Both meetings and open houses were followed by 30-day public comment periods. Public input received at the meetings and during the associated comment periods helped shape the final Nickerson RMP, which was adopted by the DCR Stewardship Council on June 18, 2015.