Charting Cape Cod's recreational resources

Greys Beach, Yarmouth

Cape Cod's abundant natural beauty draws millions of people each year to explore its beaches, forests, trails, and open spaces. The Cape Cod Commission is launching a new project to create a comprehensive inventory of the region's outdoor recreational assets designed to make it easier to discover and enjoy the region's numerous outdoor recreational opportunities.   

With support from a grant awarded by the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR), within the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Commission will collaborate with the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce and the Compact of Cape Cod Conservation Trusts to create a comprehensive database featuring detailed site descriptions and images of recreational areas across Cape Cod. The project aims to improve planning and public access to information about the region's diverse natural resources.    

This inventory will consolidate information currently found in places like town websites, nonprofit land trust maps, and municipal open space plans into a single, accessible platform. It will include outdoor assets in each of Cape Cod's 15 towns and incorporate insights from community feedback, local planning documents, and new research.  

By bringing these resources together in one centralized location, this project seeks to improve people's ability to connect with nature, stay active, and appreciate the unique character of Cape Cod.    

The inventory will draw on local and regional planning efforts, incorporating survey results, community feedback, existing open space and recreation plans, and new research. It will include detailed descriptions and photos of outdoor sites, highlighting 15 to 20 key assets in each town.  

Equity and inclusion are key priorities, focusing on identifying recreational assets located in or accessible to Environmental Justice communities. With 41 such communities mapped by the Commonwealth across 14 of the Cape's 15 towns, this effort is essential to ensuring that all residents can enjoy the health and wellness benefits of outdoor recreation.  

Commission staff will develop a map-based application allowing users to explore the region's outdoor assets and provide comments or suggestions for additional sites.  

Access to recreational opportunities promotes public health, community well-being, and sustainable economic development. Preserving and promoting access to outdoor recreation strengthens the quality of life and supports tourism, one of the Cape's most vital industries.    

The inventory will contribute to a statewide web platform for promoting outdoor recreation in Massachusetts and, in the long term, the Commission anticipates this work will lay the foundation for a one-stop hub for exploring the region's natural spaces, learning about stewardship and safety, and finding programs that connect people to nature. Modeled after a similar effort in the Berkshires, the site would expand awareness of the many ways people can experience Cape Cod outdoors.