Harwich Conservation Trust

Ever wonder just where a walking trail will end up? Now, thanks to a creative public-private partnership, visitors to a variety of conservation destinations in Harwich can park by a timberframed trailhead kiosk display to review trail maps, guided walk schedules, and other highlights. The Town of Harwich Trail Committee in collaboration with the Harwich Conservation Trust and funding from the Community Preservation Fund as well as Barnstable County have created six new trailhead kiosks that display walking trail maps and guided walk schedules at several scenic sites.

Three years ago, the Trail Committee was authorized by the Board of Selectmen to identify and map walking trails on town lands as well as educate visitors about walking opportunities. Last year, the committee sought and received support from the Town Community Preservation Committee and Town Meeting voters for $5,000 in community preservation funds to implement its objectives. The creation of the strategically located kiosks helps to achieve all three objectives and at a very reasonable cost.

Barnstable County contributed a land management grant of $1,000 to the town Conservation Commission. The town Highway Department contributed in-kind services to create a new trailhead parking area on the south side of Queen Anne Road to access the Island Pond Conservation Lands across the bike trail. The town’s net cost was about $4,500.

Thanks to a $6,500 grant from the state’s Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) purchased one kiosk for $1,000 and added several other enhancements to its William and Barbara Hacker Wildlife Sanctuary on the Cape Cod Rail Trail that adjoins the town’s 70-acre Island Pond Conservation Lands. HCT was also awarded a $3,000 grant from the Fields Pond Foundation that helped to fund stairs, fence and a bike rack. The nearly 9-acre sanctuary is named for Mr. and Mrs. Hacker who left a generous bequest to HCT that enabled the local land trust to forever preserve the scenic land that stretches from the bike path to Katie’s Pond.

The original kiosk design was created for HCT by Andrew Call during his Eagle Scout project last spring. He coordinated placement of a kiosk on HCT’s 30-acre Coy’s Brook Woodlands Sanctuary and the town’s 77-acre D. Isabel Smith Monomoy River Conservation Lands. John Miller, a Harwich timberframer, expanded upon the design and offered his services at a deep discount as a way to give back to the community and assist conservation education efforts.

The new trailhead kiosks can be discovered at popular conservation destinations including Bell’s Neck Conservation Lands, Island Pond Conservation Lands, and HCT’s 60-acre Bank Street Bogs Sanctuary. HCT is posting 11 by 17-inch color trail maps in each kiosk. And, in consultation with the Trail Committee, the HCT is creating a town-wide trail guide for eight conservation destinations. For a schedule of free, guided summer walks, also visit www.HarwichConservationTrust.org.

Since 1988, HCT has preserved more than 357 acres by accepting land donations, holding conservation restrictions and purchasing land. For more information, visit www.HarwichConservationTrust.org, call 508-432-3997 or e-mail: hct@cape.com.