The Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank does not expect to fully open the Squibnocket Pond Reservation until 2025 due to the long permitting process. 

The land bank commission voted Monday to approve state-imposed changes to the management plan for the reservation, a 336-acre Aquinnah property composed of land from the former Red Gate Farm.

First acquired in a joint purchase by the land bank and Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation in 2020, the property was slated to be open in summer 2023 before being delayed by an unusually long state review.

According to land bank superintendent Harrison Kisiel, they are now looking at a partial opening between Thanksgiving and Christmas of 2024, and a full opening in the summer of 2025. 

“The recommendations are following a very responsible approach to how we’re going to manage this,” said Aquinnah land bank commissioner Sarah Thulin, of the state revisions to the management plan.

Among the changes required by the state Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, which reviews all land bank management plans, are a prohibition of horses on the trails, not allowing dogs on the southern portion of the property, increased staffing, fencing for shorebird protection and limiting access on a portion of the beach during June and August.

The office also required the land bank to return the plan to the state for review after five years.  

“I think the changes are appropriate in terms of…some of the public concerns that we heard,” Ms. Thulin said. 

The management plan will have to come before the Aquinnah conservation commission and planning board for final approvals.