Your Dollars at Work

Rehabilitate the Beech Forest Boardwalk to Improve Safety and Accessibility

This project will replace sections of the Beech Forest boardwalk with the sustainable re-use of site harvested cedar poles and recycled decking.

Reconstruction of the boardwalk will correct health and safety, accessibility, environmental and deferred maintenance deficiencies, protect natural resources and provide a safe and attractive way to for park visitors to explore and enjoy the area.

 

Repair and Resurface Trails: 2022-2025

This project includes repairing & improving the most heavily used trails throughout the park. Work includes clearing & brushing back vegetation, tree trimming, removal of hazardous trees, re-establishing historical vistas, installation & replacement of water bars & other drainage structures, repairs of washouts, runoff damage & ponding areas, elimination of tripping hazards, replacing & supplementing benches & trail signs, replacing & installing new fencing where needed, removal of non-native invasive plants, and installing new surface material.

Maintaining these trails will improve visitor safety and contribute to the reduction of the park’s deferred maintenance.

 

Rehabilitate White Cedar Swamp Trail to Improve Safety

This project will rehabilitate the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail by replacing sections of the boardwalk structure & its walking surface, repairing erosion damage, and resurfacing the trail using sustainable practices.

Trail rehabilitation will better protect the rare and very sensitive Atlantic White Cedar Swamp from the pressures of high visitation, improve visitor safety by eliminating tripping and falling hazards along the path, and reduce the park’s deferred maintenance.

 

Provide Visitor Services - Public Restrooms

This project will replace the aging vault toilet at Herring Cove South beach with a new accessible vault toilet; install a new accessible vault toilet at Beech Forest trail and parking area; and install a new accessible vault toilet at Great Island trail head and parking area to replace the existing port-a-johns.

This project will result in an improved visitor experience by providing accessible restroom facilities.

 

Rehabilitate Salt Pond Visitor Center (Future project)

This project will improve initial contact and service to visitors by replacing/upgrading fixtures of the front desk, lobby, restrooms, and work areas to provide a more positive visitor experience.

The project will also redesign workspaces/storage spaces to aid in facilitating visitor center management and supervision.

Completion of this project will improve the functionality of the building’s utility systems and restrooms, improve operational efficiency, and maintain a high standard of visitor services.

 

Repaint and Re-Stripe Roads for Safety (Future project)

This project will repaint and re-stripe park-owned roadways, parking lots, and paved trails where road striping, parking ling, and crosswalk paint has deteriorated and faded to the point that it is not very visible to the vehicular and bicycle traffic.

Completion of this project will improve public safety by meeting roadway safety standards and enhance the visitor experience by having easily identifiable road markings to safely guide them through the park.

 

Past Projects

This historic outdoor amphitheater on the grounds of the Salt Pond Visitor Center in Eastham was constructed in the 1960s. Over time the amphitheater fell into disrepair. The audio visual system became outmoded, tree roots pushed up the asphalt, causing tripping hazards, and the drinking fountains ceased to function. Vegetation between the amphitheater and the pond grew in, which disrupted onshore winds that kept mosquitoes at bay. The amphitheater eventually became functionally obsolete and uncomfortable to use. In addition, it did not meet accessibility requirements.

The national seashore competed successfully for National Park Service facility repair and rehabilitation funds in 2016 to rehabilitate the amphitheater as a signature NPS Centennial project. Work began in fall 2016 and was completed in spring 2017.

An accessible path from the parking area to the seating area is being constructed. New asphalt will be laid down. Benches constructed from sustainable materials, and with backs for accessibility, will be installed. The amphitheater structure is being repaired and refreshed, and the drinking fountains will be made functional. The electrical system and lighting are being upgraded and enhanced, and a modern audio visual system is being installed. Overgrown vegetation between the amphitheater and the pond is being trimmed to provide views and air flow.

Several interpretive media projects are underway in 2017-2018. All of these improvements will enhance the experience of visitors to the national seashore.

Projects include: new audio visual systems at the indoor auditorium and outdoor amphitheater at Salt Pond Visitor Center, Eastham; outdoor exhibits at Coast Guard Beach, Eastham; a new park film to be shown in the national seashore's two visitor centers; and new interior exhibits at Province Lands Visitor Center in Provincetown.

Last updated: August 17, 2023

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Contact Info

Mailing Address:

99 Marconi Site Road
Wellfleet, MA 02667

Phone:

508-255-3421
To contact NPS Law Enforcement or report an incident, please call the 24-hour dispatch: 617-242-5659. In the event of an emergency, call 911.

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