Crane Beach, The Crane Estate, Ipswich, Massachusetts

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Property Description	1,234 acres \| Est. 1945
Along with Castle Hill and the Crane Wildlife Refuge, Crane Beach was once part of the vast early 20th-century summer estate of Chicago industrialist Richard T. Crane, Jr. The white sands of Crane Beach stretch for miles along both sides of Castle Neck, forming one of the most picturesque swimming beaches in all of New England. Crane Beach also provides important habitat for myriad wildlife and is an important natural barrier that protects the Essex River Estuary and its inland communities. More than 1,200 acres of beachfront, dunes, and maritime forest are managed for both recreation and conservation. Elevated boardwalks, vegetation management programs, and fencing protect the dunes. More than five miles of designated trails traverse an extensive dune complex featuring swales that support amphibians and invertebrates. Cranberries and insect-eating carnivorous plants, such as sundews, also grow in these interdunal swales. Castle Neck is the site of the North Shore's largest maritime pitch pine forest. Crane Beach is among the world's most important nesting sites for the threatened piping plover, a once- common bird that was nearly hunted to extinction in the nineteenth century for its eggs and its feathers. Recent surveys place the piping plover population at only 1,300 pairs. Crane Beach has been nationally recognized for its successful shorebird protection program.

Beach Management
Crane Beach is managed for both conservation and recreation - wildlife and people. Of foremost importance is the protection of this natural resource. Crane Beach provides important habitat for numerous rare plants, invertebrates, mammals, birds, shellfish, and finfish. Dune Management Program. Sand dunes are very fragile and do not tolerate high levels of disturbance. Healthy dunes protect wildlife and diverse ecosystems and also provide storm damage protection to inland development. Restoration and protection of dunes at Crane Beach is accomplished through the use of elevated boardwalks, fencing, designated trails, and beach grass planting programs; all help to reduce erosion from wind and ocean waves. Visitors are encouraged to stay on designated trails. Wildlife Management Program. For many years, least terns and piping plovers have nested on Crane Beach. The piping plover is listed on the federal government's endangered list as a "threatened" species. Crane Beach is one of the most important nesting areas for this species in the world. Since the 1970s, The Trustees has managed an intensive shorebird protection program at Crane Beach to ensure that the feeding and nesting habits of terns, piping plovers, and other threatened shorebirds are not disturbed. You will see fenced nesting areas and are asked not to encroach upon them. You will also notice that organic debris (called wrack) washes up onto Crane Beach and is not removed because shorebirds feed on and seek cover in this debris; removal of debris could be considered a violation of state and federal coastal and endangered species regulations. The Trustees' Piping Plover Protection Program has been very successful and has received state and national acclaim. Public Health & Safety. Public health and safety is maintained at Crane Beach through regular beach patrols and emergency response and first aid staff on-site. With 7 miles of waterfront and over 1,000 acres of dunes and upland, staff visibility on the property can be difficult. ATV's provide an efficient way to enforce regulations, locate lost children, provide public information, and assist with first aid.

Trails
5.5 miles of trails traverse dunes and track the beachfront on both the Ipswich Bay and Essex River Estuary sides of the Castle Neck peninsula. Moderate hiking. These trails are part of the Bay Circuit Trail.

Services & Facilities
In-season: Lifeguards and rangers, bike rack, bathhouses (with toilets and changing area), outside showers, picnic tables, Crane Beach Store (refreshments and merchandise), drinking water fountains (located outside the bathhouses), information kiosk, transportation for mobility-impaired and challenged visitors. Off-season: portable toilets (located outside bathhouses).
Snack Bar: Our snack bar offers delicious, healthy fare, including salads (that's right, salads!). We use only recycled paper products, so you can feel good knowing your lunch is good for you and the planet. So leave the cooler at home and enjoy a healthy meal with us.
Special Events
Consult the Events Calendar for details on upcoming events at Crane Beach or call 978/356-4351.

Literature
Every car receives a free introductory pamphlet to Crane Beach. Literature about events at the Crane Estate, other Trustees properties to visit in the region, and membership in The Trustees of Reservations is available from the bulletin board and the beach office. You may download trail maps from this web site or mail order trail maps in advance of your visit. A Visitor's Guide to the Crane Estate introduces visitors to Castle Hill, Crane Beach, and the Crane Wildlife Refuge. It may be mail ordered in advance of your visit.

Greenhead Flies Advisory	Daily Conditions Report
The Greenhead fly season at Crane Beach generally begins by July 11 and the flies are completely gone by the end of the first week in August. Fly intensity varies daily and they are frequently not present on the beachfront between July 11th and August 7th. Lifeguards, Beach Rangers, and other staff have long used an Avon product called “Skin So Soft” to keep the greenheads from biting. The “Skin So Soft” lotion is sold at the Crane Beach Snack Bar.

Lyme Disease Advisory
Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection transmitted to humans by the bite of an infested tick. Not all ticks carry Lyme Disease, so a tick bite does not necessarily expose one to the disease. Ticks are found primarily in wooded or brushy areas, not in dunes or on the beach. If you stay on elevated board walks and designated trails, the chance of encountering ticks is greatly reduced. Remember to check your skin carefully after you have been in areas where ticks are found. Lyme Disease can be treated effectively with antibiotic drugs. Symptoms of Lyme Disease include expanding, ring-like rash, fever, and flu-like illness. Advanced symptoms may include swelling and pain in joints. Early diagnosis and treatment is important. If you have been bitten by a tick and develop symptoms of Lyme Disease, contact your physician promptly.

Property Acquisition History
Original acreage a gift of Mrs. Richard T. Crane, Jr. and members of the Crane family in 1945.