The MVC recently designated significant portions of Mud Puddle and Old Sailors Burying Ground roads in Tisbury as Special Ways, authorizing the town to further regulate development of this historic byway.

The designation applies to three segments extending from Edgartown - Vineyard Haven Road to the West Tisbury town line and totaling about 0.6 miles.

Special Ways are considered rare or unique in that they are usually lightly traveled and unimproved, and provide a direct link to the Island’s early history. The MVC had previously designated a total of 32 Special Ways as part of the Island Road District of Critical Planning Concern (DCPC), the last being Shubael Weeks and Red Coat Hill roads in Tisbury in 2019.

Read more in the December 2025 issue of MVC Quarterly.