The river bank gradually descends to marshes at Joppa Flats beyond downtown Newburyport. The Plum Island Turnpike was pushed out over the marsh on a causeway to a narrow part of the Plum Island River just to the south of where it connects to the mouth of the Merrimack. A drawbridge was built there, the only access to the island by road. On the Newburyport side a small airport, Plum Island Airport, was built at the edge of the marsh. The portion of Plum Island that is in the city has no direct access to the rest of the city; similarly, there is no access between the mainland and Woodbridge Island or Seal Island, west of Plum Island (the latter being shared between Newburyport and Newbury). Several parks and beaches dot the city, including Plum Island Point Beach, Simmons Beach, Joppa Park, Waterfront Park, Woodman Park, Cashman Park, Moseley Pines Park and Atkinson Common and March's Hill Park. Newburyport Forest is located in the southwest corner of the city, and Maudslay State Park lies along the northwest part of the city, along the banks of the Merrimack.
The river bank gradually descends to marshes at Joppa Flats beyond downtown Newburyport The Plum Island Turnpike was pushed out over the marsh on a causeway to a narrow part of the Plum Island River just to the south of where it connects to the mouth of the Merrimack A drawbridge was built there the only access to the island by road On the Newburyport side a small airport Plum Island Airport was built at the edge of the marsh The portion of Plum Island that is in the city has no direct access to the rest of the city; similarly there is no access between the mainland and Woodbridge Island or Seal Island west of Plum Island (the latter being shared between Newburyport and Newbury) Several parks and beaches dot the city including Plum Island Point Beach Simmons Beach Joppa Park Waterfront Park Woodman Park Cashman Park Moseley Pines Park and Atkinson Common and March's Hill Park Newburyport Forest is located in the southwest corner of the city and Maudslay State Park lies along the northwest part of the city along the banks of the Merrimack