What is the Coastal Resilience Walk?
The basic idea for the Coastal Resilience Walk, or website for those who prefer to surf, is to demonstrate Nantucket's incredible history of resilience, the ongoing challenges and best practices for living in a coastal environment and lastly the opportunities we have to adapt and build back better as we prepare to reduce the risks of sea level rise, erosion and severe weather events. The 1.5 mile Coastal Resilience Walk goes from Brant Point to the Creeks entirely along public roads and rights of way, and entirely within FEMA Coastal Flood Zones. The route passes by both built and natural environments, as well those such as Washington Street that are transitioning between the two. Various structural, non-structural, and nature-based approaches are included along the walk, and adaptation strategies such as remove, retreat, adapt, elevate, and protect are highlighted along the way.
The walk starts at Brant Point Lighthouse. The very embodiment of coastal resilience, the lighthouse has been moved and rebuilt more times than any other in the Nation and is surrounded by dredged sediments.
Many of the homes along Easton Street cover some of the best practices property owners can use to adapt to coastal risks, and can be paired with information from both the Property owner section in the Coastal Resilience Plan as well as the suggested practices found in Resilient Nantucket: Flooding Adaptation & Building Elevation Design Guidelines.
The Historic Downtown core includes a number of key infrastructures and critical access corridors that regularly experience sunny day flooding events, as well as numerous buildings, most notably the Dreamland Cultural Center, that have already been moved from elsewhere, demonstrating both the importance of architectural and building salvage as well as the potential to move buildings out of harm's way should they need to be relocated in the future.
The bulk of the strategies recommended in the Coastal Resilience Plan address risk reduction in the Historic Downtown Core. Including information about the Downtown Flood Barrier options in the Coastal Resilience Walk presents an opportunity to help inform community discussions about various design options.
Lastly, the Creeks provide an example of what the entire Coastal Resilience Walk coastline might have once looked like. Information about how living shorelines provide wave attenuation and erosion mitigation are shared here, and will hopefully inspire home owners to include nature based approaches to coastal hazard mitigation.
By participating in this walk you are agreeing to the following:
Voluntary Participation. I understand and confirm that my participation in the Coastal Resilience Walk is voluntary. I am in good health and suffer from no physical or mental condition that would make me susceptible to injury or disability while participating in the walk.
Understanding Risks. I am aware of the risks, dangers and hazards involved in my participation in the Coastal Resilience Walk. I understand that this walk takes place in public venues under conditions largely beyond the control of the Coastal Resilience Walk’s staff. Potential risks may include, but are not limited to, uneven walking surfaces, potholes, raised path edges, wet or slippery ground, steps, curbs, low lighting, narrow walkways, traffic movement, road crossings, diversions due to construction or exposure to weather conditions.
Assuming Risks. I assume all risks involved in participation in the Coastal Resilience Walk. I accept personal responsibility for any liability, injury, loss, or damage in any way connected with my participation in the Coastal Resilience Walk.
Release of Liability. I release, waive, discharge and covenant not to sue the Coastal Resilience Walk, its principals, affiliated entities, parent companies, subsidiaries, present and former employees, owners, officers, members, managers, partners, contractors, insurers, shareholders, and directors (collectively “Released Entities”) from any and all claims, actions, damages, liabilities, losses, costs, and expenses for death, injury, loss or damage of property, in any way arising out of my participation in the Coastal Resilience Walk, including, without limitation, any and all claims resulting from the negligence of the Released Entities.
Indemnity Agreement. I indemnify and hold harmless the Released Entities from any loss, liability, damage or cost that they may incur for losses and damages which may be brought against me or against any of them by anyone claiming to be injured (including death) or whose property is damaged as a result of my actions arising from or during the Coastal Resilience Walk.