Conservation Foundation Completes Deal To Acquire Altar Rock Property From Town
Nantucket Current •
The Nantucket Conservation Foundation (NCF) announced on Friday the completion of a deal with the town of Nantucket that permanently places the iconic 5.7-acre Altar Rock parcel under the non-profit's ownership. In exchange, NCF granted an easement allowing the construction of a new vehicular access route for Sheep Pond Road residents whose primary road has been repeatedly threatened by erosion.
The deal had been in the works for years. Town Meeting approved the Altar Rock property transfer in 2022, and the deal was sealed at last week's Select Board meeting.
"We are pleased to formally accept ownership and ensure the permanent protection of Altar Rock, one of the most iconic and beloved landmarks on Nantucket," said NCF President and CEO Cormac Collier. "Prior to the transfer, NCF has cared for Altar Rock for the past five decades on the town’s behalf. Visitors will continue to enjoy the sweeping views of the Middle Moors. The parcel sits in the center of thousands of acres owned by NCF, and its permanent protection is critical to the long-term conservation of the Middle Moors."
For the past several decades, erosion has impacted access along Sheep Pond Road. NCF, which owns land along the dirt road on Nantucket's west end, worked with the town and residents on two prior alternative access routes. The new route provided for in the Altar Rock deal with the town gives access north of the existing eroded road, connecting two critical points of entry and ensuring residents and first responders can safely reach their homes.
NCF and the town stated that they have worked together to complete the necessary permitting, conduct erosion surveys, and construct the new access road.
"This partnership with NCF also allowed us to address a critical access issue for Sheep Pond Road residents who were at risk of losing the road to their homes due to ongoing erosion," town manager Libby Gibson said in a statement. "It's a meaningful outcome for conservation, the community and the Sheep Pond Road residents."
