Barnstable Dog Walking Rules It is the responsibility of the dog owner or keeper —throughout the Town of Barnstable—to pick up and Trail Guide dispose of all dog waste in a sanitary manner. Lillie Peterson-Wirtanen All dogs must be leashed at all times in the Town of Barnstable. Dogs are permitted Rules & Information at certain Town of Barnstable conservation • No motorized vehicles of any sort (including e-bikes) properties, but must be leashed at all times on ANY open space in the Town of Barnstable. out of respect for other visitors and sensitive wildlife and wildlife habitat. • No camping and no fires. • Note: some beaches and ways to water are open Please clean up after your dog. to Town residents only. Please check the Town of Due to its toxicity to humans and Barnstable website for more information. wildlife, the bacteria in dog waste can shut down beaches and shellfish beds. Tick & Poison Ivy Safety Visit the Town of Barnstable Always prepare for ticks and poison ivy. website to see which Ticks can be active any time of year, even winter. conservation properties Tuck your pants into your socks, and your shirt into allow dog walking. your pants. Wear light colors to spot ticks more easily. Wearing insect repellant or treating your clothes with permethrin adds another layer of protection. Poison ivy is most noticeable from spring through fall, but the oils can transfer from a broken leaf or branch any time of year. Washing your hands after lacing up or removing your hiking boots can help protect you from transferring the oils to skin and causing a rash. Trail Etiquette When hiking on any trail, it’s best to follow the Leave No Trace principles. These principles include that you pack out what you bring in (including any trash or pet waste), stay on the trail, and leave natural features as you find them (rocks, plants, wildlife, etc.). If you find something extra special that you BLT.org want to remember or share, take a picture or a video and leave it for others to discover and appreciate. Learn more at LNT.org. Hunting Rules It’s important to be aware of hunting year-round. To stay safe and visible to hunters, be sure to wear bright colors. Hunting is allowed on certain conservation parcels as long as state and federal laws are followed. Check the Town of Barnstable website to know where hunting About Barnstable Land Trust is allowed and when the Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) is a community- hunting season is open. supported nonprofit whose mission is to preserve the natural resources and special places in the Town of Barnstable and nearby Wildlife Sanctuaries areas. We have conserved over 1,100 acres, Trails marked with a wildlife and supported the Town in protecting sanctuary symbol convey that over 11,000 more. this area is protected specifically To support our work, to support sensitive wildlife and wildlife habitat. consider becoming a member! While we value community access to wild Visit BLT.org or use this QR code and beautiful places, dogs are not allowed to support our work today. on trails within wildlife sanctuaries. Perceived as predators, dogs can Barnstable Land Trust cause alarm and stress to wildlife, 1540 Main Street resulting in reduced wildlife West Barnstable, MA 02668 activity during the day or avoidance of areas altogether. Tel: 508.771.2585 BLT.org Additionally, when left on trails, dog waste harms the @barnstablelandtrust environment by degrading @balandtrust the water that both animals @barnstablelandtrust and humans drink, and can potentially spread disease to vulnerable Are you interested in conserving your land? wildlife. Contact Barnstable Land Trust at (508) 771-2585 or [email protected] to discuss conserving your land. Front cover: Sandy Neck by Matthew Raifman. Eagle Pond (above) by Beth Greeley. JUNE 2021 Icon Key 3 Danforth Recreation Area 8 Jenkins Wildlife Sanctuary 14 Old Jail Lane Conservation Area 21 Hyannis Ponds Wildlife 27 Ropes Field Conservation Area Biking Barnstable • 180 Acres • 10 miles Marstons Mills • 23.5 Acres • 6 miles West Barnstable • 6.6 Acres • 2 miles Management Area Cotuit • 2 Acres Visit blt.org/get-outside Dog Allowed on Leash Hyannis • 365 Acres • 3 miles for a trail map. Swimming Danforth Recreation Area offers trails through This wooded wildlife sanctuary offers short trails Pine, oak, and holly trees comprise the upland Ropes Field is nestled in the center of Cotuit, forests at Old Jail Lane Conservation Area. Some woodland, meadows, and grasslands. A short throughout pine-oak forest. The Sanctuary’s 2 miles Hyannis Ponds WMA features pitch pine forest where Putnam Ave curves to join Main Street. Wildlife Sanctuary steep trails throughout this trail network make it trail from the parking lot leads to Mystic Lake. of trails connect to Bridge Street Conservation Area with an understory dominated by huckleberry and Known as a historic horse pasture, this grassy open an interesting spot for hikers, mountain bikers, Crossing the street through an old cow tunnel and can allow avid hikers to extend their walk up lowbush blueberry. The coastal plain pond habitats space is good for a stroll or tossing a ball around. offers 6 more miles of trails and connection to to 6 miles. Please leave dogs at home when hiking and horseback riders. Property is across from 33 Putnam Ave. Barnstable Land Trust Dept. of Conservation offer views of rare and uncommon flora and fauna. the West Barnstable Conservation Area. at this trail. There are several routes for trails, each 1-2 miles. & Recreation With about 3 miles of gated management roads No parking Cape Cod Parking: 970 Race Ln, ~15 parking spots. Parking: 359 Church St, ~6 parking spots. There is a 1-mile loop across the street as well. Community College Dept. of Fish & Game throughout the property, it is a popular spot for Parking: 331 Old Jail Ln, 8 parking spots. hunting and hiking. 28 Lowell Park Woodlands Cape Cod Mass Audubon Parking: Mary Dunn Rd, 2 spots. Horticultural Society 4 Otis Atwood Conservation Area 9 BLT Conservation Center Cotuit • 16 Acres West Barnstable • 73 Acres • 1.5 miles West Barnstable • 9.9 Acres • 0.4 mile 15 Trayser Trail Cape Cod Pathways Mass Dept. of Environmental Protection Barnstable • 36 Acres • 0.7 miles 22 Lumbert Mill Conservation Area County of Barnstable State of Massachusetts Centerville • 61 Acres • 1 mile Classic pine-oak woodlands surrounding the This pine-oak forest is a popular spot for mountain The short trail offers views of the Great Marsh and Kettleers ball field. Lowell Park is at the southern Town of Barnstable biking, horseback riding, dog walking, and picnicking. over Popolo Pond, making it an excellent spot for Located behind the Trayser US Group Coast end of an 800-acre open space corridor. A newly A spur trail at the northern end of the parcel connects walking and birdwatching. This trail winds around Guard Heritage Museum, this Cape Cod Pathways created trail circles the ballfield and connects to About a mile of hiking trails trek through pine-oak to West Barnstable Conservation Area trails. Popolo Pond through marshy woodlands, with segment begins as a grassy-pathed shrub and tree previously established trails from Lowell Ave, Trail Safety forest, marshland, and past Lumbert and Flowing boardwalks through the wettest areas. environment and crosses over a railroad, transitioning Putnam Ave, Mosswood Cemetery and nearby It’s always best to research and plan your hike. Parking: 1800 Osterville-West Barnstable Rd Ponds. As a relatively new trail system, it is a great ~10 parking spots. Please leave dogs at home when hiking at this trail. into a pine oak woodland. neighborhoods. • Know where you’ll be hiking, and if possible what spot to see wildlife. Parking: 1540 Main St, 10 spaces available behind Parking: Trayser Museum parking lot ~5-10 spots. Parking: 10 Lowell Ave, ample parking (20+ spots) terrain you will encounter, how long the trail is, BLT headquarters (unless programming or an event Parking: 446 Lumbert Mill Road, ~12 spots. except for Cotuit Kettleers’ home-game days. how difficult it is, and where to park. 5 Meetinghouse Farm is underway). • Know when the sun will set and time your hike so West Barnstable • 23 Acres • 0.38 miles 16 Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary 23 Andrews Property & you aren’t caught out after dark. Cummaquid • 101 Acres • 2.5 miles 29 Eagle Pond & 10 Barnstable Great Marsh Coombs Bogs • Always give yourself more time than you think Little River Sanctuary Wildlife Sanctuary Centerville • 6.5 Acres • 1 mile you’ll need. Two short woodland trails are marked on a kiosk Cotuit • 152 Acres • 4 miles • • at the back of the circular parking area. One trail West Barnstable 114 Acres 1.5 miles • Know what weather to expect during your hike. Looking over Sandy Neck, Long Pasture offers views winds through beautiful rhododendron forest. of the water through meadows and woodlands. • Always bring water, no matter how short you think A lovely trail system weaves its way through the The second trail follows the woods around to the The Nature Center on site offers views of rare Eagle Pond and Little River Sanctuary consist of your hike may be. Town-owned Andrews property, consisting of open community gardens. Beautiful specimen trees are Lovely trails wind through salt marshes and oak local species. Admission is free for MassAudubon varying habitats of white cedar swamps, meadows, marked on this former nursery. For more information, meadow and forest. This trail leads to BLT-owned • Always tell a friend or family member where you woodlands that overlook Barnstable Harbor and members, $4 for adults, $3 for children and seniors.