Lyme Disease is a long-standing issue relevant to coastal New England, including Steep Hill Beach and Castle Hill. Lyme Disease is transmitted to humans by the bite of the black-legged deer tick; not all ticks carry the disease. Symptoms typically start one to three weeks after the bite of an infected tick and vary from mild to severe. Symptoms include an expanding ring-like rash accompanied by fever and an illness resembling flu. Later symptoms include pain of joints. When diagnosed early, Lyme Disease responds to a variety of antibiotics. There is currently a vaccine available to help prevent the disease.
The Trustees of Reservations, owners and managers of the Crane Estate, which includes Castle Hill and Steep Hill Beach, has taken numerous steps to reduce the risk of contracting Lyme Disease, which include mowing fields to reduce mouse and tick habitat and controlling the deer population. The Trustees of Reservations' staff monitor tick, deer, and mice numbers at the Crane Estate throughout the year. Studies conducted by The Trustees of Reservations have shown that these measures have significantly reduced the numbers of deer and mice on the property.
Due to our current management techniques, The Trustees of Reservations feels that the risk of Lyme Disease to visitors has been significantly reduced. Although Castle Hill function areas are virtually tick free, Castle Hill asks visitors to adhere to the following procedures to minimize exposure to deer ticks:
- Confine activity to the designated areas, walkways, paths, parking areas, and boardwalks. The beach itself is tick free and thus may be fully enjoyed.
- Refrain from “trekking” through the woods or bushes. Follow the posted instructions for access to the beachfront.
- Check yourself and your family (especially children) for deer ticks after departing the area. Deer ticks may be carefully removed by using tweezers.
- Consult your family doctor if you suspect or know that you have been bitten by a deer tick.
