In Onset Bay, Coalition working to protect Wickets Island
Onset Bay is a treasured place. In summer, thousands visit Onset to spend leisurely days relaxing on the beach and strolling through the quaint village. Boats cruise in and out of the bay in search of fish and fun, and kayakers paddle along the bay’s quiet shores.
The Coalition is working to protect Wickets Island in Onset Bay for paddlers, quahoggers, and swimmers to explore and enjoy.
Part of what makes Onset Bay so special is the spectacular view of the water and natural shorelines. It’s a destination for people who love swimming, paddling, quahogging, and exploring the outdoors.
The centerpiece of Onset Bay is a wooded, 4.6-acre island called Wickets Island. The Coalition is working to protect Wickets Island for people to explore and enjoy. And if you live in Wareham, we need your help!
With 40-foot cliffs and sandy shores for boats to pull up to, Wickets Island is a unique place within Onset Bay. Currently, the island is privately owned and vulnerable to development. Even though it’s easily accessible by kayak, paddleboard, and small boat, the island isn’t legally open to the public.
To protect Wickets Island forever, the Coalition is seeking $400,000 in Wareham Community Preservation Act funds to help protect the island. The remainder of the $525,000 cost for the island will come from grants and donations.
If you’re a Wareham resident, you can take action to preserve Onset Bay! Go to Town Meeting on Monday, Oct. 26 at 7 p.m. at Wareham High School and vote yes on Article 22 to support Community Preservation Act funding for Wickets Island.
Update (10/26/15): Thank you, Wareham! At town meeting last night, you made a difference to preserve Onset Bay by approving funding to purchase Wickets Island. The island will soon be protected forever and opened to the public so everybody can discover this special place.