Cape Cod dune dwellers outraged shacks are now up for lease

The National Park Service is taking open applications for dune shacks near Provincetown that have been inhabited by some families for generations. WBZ-TV’s Mike Sullivan reports.

[@wdwerker]

I had a client who’s mountain cabin was on leased National forest land. They wanted to fix a few things up but were well aware that the lease probably won’t be renewed.

[@yogawithjengentleyoga3614]

They had a long free ride there. I’d be grateful!

[@johnsilva9139]

Yes, don't know why he thinks he's entitled to stay there forever. Don't even think he's the owner. He calls himself the caretaker. He certainly deserved to stay there with all the work and money he put into it but this just seems to be a vacation home for him. Don't think he's being thrown out into the street.

[@user-zk1ru4oz9x]

They didn't have a free ride. They pay taxes. They paid maintenance to upkeep those houses. Shacks there was no free ride

[@DonBurton1]

@johnsilva9139 Go to the 1:50 mark and you’ll hear that those who were allowed to stay were the ones who had the deed to the property, and that his family has the deed.

[@sirich7751]

No water, no Power, everything built by hand. These are not vacation homes but labors of love. But I do understand that these absolutely bucolic gems should be shared.

[@dubhdraiocht8427]

This should've been kept secret. The youtube videos 8yrs ago just proves everything of value must be defended bc there's always a bully seeking to exploit ev'thin in their path

[@saffronskies333]

C'mon park service... can't you leave well enough alone? The people who are already there respect the land more than anyone else will...

[@teresafuller3912]

I don't feel sorry for anyone who thinks they should own the beach.

[@johnvalois7450]

It’s not ur house it’s everyone’s house

[@jr9762]

They should have destroyed all the shacks which would have eliminated this current mess. Maybe kept one or two as museums.

[@sierravista9013]

That's nuts

[@lynnwilliams4006]

How can a shack be outraged? It amazes me when educated journalists write sentences without proper punctuation.

[@Jean-kp6cu]

The Cape Cod National Seashore was created to protect the beauty of all it's unique ecosystems from destruction by development, including here.

[@catistrolling7333]

Jealous

[@darcymoon2109]

This guy needs to stop whining. Fill out your application for your 50 year rent/mortgage free home. My god, man. Do you expect them to just give it to you over phone? Fill. Out. The. Application. And stop acting so dang insulted about it.

[@kathleenvance8792]

It should belong to the people who have the deed anyway. The government shouldn’t be able to do whatever they want. This stuff is getting out of control. These are the quintessential beach house. Before people started caring more about commercializing the beach.

[@felixthecat2786]

Whinging?? I didn't know the government could just take the home that you built and lived in. Sounds pretty sketchy to me.

[@darcymoon2109]

@@felixthecat2786 They didn’t build it and it is on government land. Land I own. Guy should be grateful they are allowing anyone to stay. He needs to fill out the dang application. And stop whining.

[@windingroad9678]

If you have a deed it's yours. Plus look how quaint it still looks, if they go to highest bidder someone like Jaylo or Hollywood types will knock it down and build an oversized mansion ruining the landscape forever. That's probably the end goal, to get that land built up and revenue from millionaires.

[@TreeLBollingTreeMan]

@@darcymoon2109 You would be crying a different tune if this was happening to you, so just STFU!

[@joe9743]

Those houses are technically all of our's being in a national park. Anyone should be able to rent them for a fee (that goes into upkeep)

[@debra6513]

Occasionally homes come up for sale that the forest service owns the land, Lol I run as far away as I can cause they can just uproot you, this situation however seems a little different, be grateful you had it rent free for how long?? Life isn’t free and if they own the land well… they can do what they want. Been to P-Town a zillion time and love the place, used to live in Ma and I really miss the seafood and the holiday season is so quaint New England, Really want to leave the Northwest and move to Maine❤️

[@Teacherofall]

Am alone in thinking I would rather burn it down than watch my home be taken from me and then sold to the rich?

[@user-ry9kk1qo8u]

Wonder about update

[@JohnWilson-um1ly]

The park service is over stepping. Leave the people that are living there alone

[@theresehopkins1581]

Doesn't the park service have anything better to do??? So embarrassed that this is happening in Massachusetts.... we're supposed to be better than that!!! Unbelievable 🙄

[@veramae4098]

Taking the house by eminent domain means this family was paid for this house and land and now it belongs to the Park Service. But he still wants to keep it. "Wow, that's a hard word." This is a genius.

[@CrudelyDone]

That seatbelt chime.

[@SRocco-dv8we]

Gotta love people ….when they live for 50 years for free ? Tiny rent ? No rent ? ..where they don’t own the land , well stuff /everything comes to an end . And all THE NOSTALGIA , ain’t going to change it . THEY DONT OWN THEM . HELLO ? It’s over despite your inappropriate whining . 😮

[@barbiemerson]

Sadly I’m not surprised A Cape Codder!

[@mrstinky2421]

And that land was taken from native americans...

[@kristencraft623]

On Cape Cod, they were friendly with the native Americans...read the history.

[@mrstinky2421]

@@kristencraft623 as in took the land and didn't kill them? How nice.

[@bbsara0146]

they got conquored mate. thats how all land was taken over the years.

[@lisamariebarker6816]

~~~May the odds be ever in your favor~~~

[@rut5161]

Gotta make room for the “newcomers “.

[@teenac718]

What happens when outsiders come to the Cape and ruin what was once a beautiful, independent, community.

[@howlpoint4709]

#Replaced!

[@may5588]

Looks like The Summer of 42.

[@jimbo2834]

Great book and a good movie!

[@ginaonthemic]

😢

[@bbsara0146]

hopefully property taxes were paid on it. then you might be able to have legal grounds.

[@mayalunics4740]

Something seems very unconstitutional about this. Make it make sense to me.

[@untermench3502]

It's all about money.

[@Vport]

Provincetown is the ultimate land of "Freedom". So much so, it feels like it belongs to another country -- even freer than claimed by the USA. But the National Parks Service seems to have an over-riding view, that governs them, ... identified as a Mid-Western U.S. mindset ... and not-so-much, a Provincetown mindset. It is a cultural invasion that has been chipping away at Provincetown's access to the Freedoms they have known for a century or more. Those clashes have a long history with Provincetown and the Dune Shack controversy is just one more, on the agenda to turn Provincetown into someplace else. Optimally, the National Parks Service has maintained and even improved this area .. for homogenization of tourism; the 1950s Dick & Janes from Peoria. And what is wrong with that? Hospitality is their creed and believe it or not .. that is the ultimate duty of a Christian. But they are stepping on some sandy feet along the way.

[@williewonka6694]

squatting on public lands. Seems to work well for rich folk.

[@davidwright873]

It seems like the Nat Park Service should just leave well enough alone! seriously....wtf?? it's not hurting anyone.....leave em be....The govt. need money that bad?? dont' they have enough of our money?? did you and i bail out the banks??

[@veramae4098]

The Park Service BOUGHT that land and house. The former owners were given a long free ride. Now they're mad it's coming to an end.

[@davidwright873]

@@veramae4098 still....what does it hurt? we have a great deal like that....we're like live in caretakers.....Why the hassle is all i wanna know. Why do they have to sell? so the govt. can make money? don't they take enough money from us? do they need more? Like i said, You and me woulda never known of it's existence if not for the news clip....

[@rockmassa4151]

Let other artists experience what you have had the pleasure of endearing for so long.

[@MN-ty2rc]

That's exactly what will ruin it...and the beauty/magic of it. Nothing is sacred anymore

[@rockmassa4151]

It won't ruin it...others can gain a great experience and get inspired

[@safeandeffectivelol]

Lots of illegal immigrants need a place to stay

[@craigvogel2935]

These squatters dare to be outraged so their free ride is over and they’re all complaining