TIMES RECORD • October 17, 2024
Public access to beaches and private owners’ right to exclude others from their property — are in constant tension. Not so for Bristol residents Michael and Margo Hope, who recently donated a 5-acre conservation easement to Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust, permanently protecting public access to clam flats on the east shore of Johns Bay. The easement ensures continued access to the waterfront for those with a town shellfish license and protects the industry, which plays a significant role in water quality.