These properties are stewarded by the Town of Chatham's Conservation Commission. Issues or questions can be addressed by calling the Chatham Conservation Division at (508) 945-5164.
Trail Length: 0.75 mile
Property size: 11.3 acres
Trail Terrain: Soil tread
Habitat: pine/oak woods
Purchased by the town in 1999, in part with Land Bank funds, this property is diversely vegetated with a mix of upland and wetland species. Two trail entrances to this property are located off Old Comers Road. The 11.3 acre conservation land contains an approximately 1 mile loop trail and a small spur trail that leads visitors to Lover’s Lake, Chatham’s only river herring spawning area. Tall antennas formerly used for intercontinental wireless transmissions in the early 1900’s can still be seen throughout the property. Visitors can park along Old Comers Road near the property entrance sign.
Trail Length: 0.25 mile out and back
Property size: 13 acres acres
Trail Terrain: Soil tread, steep hill
Habitat: Pine/oak woods
Maintained by and located behind the Chatham Marconi Maritime Center, this trail leads to the first of the original Marconi antennas.
Trail Length: 0.75 mile
Property size: 39 acres
Trail Terrain: Soil tread
Habitat: Pine/oak woods, vernal pool woods
This 39-acre Oak and Pine forest contains a 0.75-mile loop trail. Chatham’s 18th century smallpox cemetery is located just off the trail near Old Comers Road. During the Revolutionary War this site was used as a training field for soldiers. The kettle hole wetland is a MA certified vernal pool. This acreage was purchased in 1972 for $195,000 for the purpose of conservation and passive recreation.
Visitors can park at pull-off areas along Old Comers Road. A southeastern exit enables visitors to easily access Chatham Conservation Foundation’s Barclay’s Pond property on the other side of Old Queen Anne Road.
Trail Length: 0.5 mile loop
Property size: 11 acres
Trail Terrain: Soil tread, some hills
Habitat: Pine/oak woods, conifer wood
11-acre woodland with trails leading to former cranberry bogs and views of Mill Pond. Parking and access along the south side of Old Queen Anne Road between Rte 137 and the Harwich line.
Trail Length: 0.3 mile
Property size: 9 acres
Trail Terrain: Soil surface, meadow
Habitat: Meadow, pine/oak woods
9-acre meadowland, which was one of the last twine fields used by Cape Cod fishermen. Parking and access off Morton Road in South Chatham. The Bike Trail runs nearby.
Trail Length: 0.7 miles
Property size: 9.5 acres
Trail Terrain: ADA surface, soil surface
Habitat: Pine/oak woods, ornamentals
Featuring Chatham’s first ADA accessible trail, the Rolf E. Sylvan Gardens contains almost 10 acres of woodland and views overlooking White Pond and Black Pond. Four other rustic trails traverse a variety of settings leading visitors through deep woods and open areas to broad pond views. Rolf Sylvan cultivated a commercial nursery here in the 1960’s and it is now an interesting mix of ornamental plants and native species.
Parking and access is on Old Main Street off Route 28 in West Chatham. One handicap and three regular spaces are available along the road.
Trail Length: 0.2 miles
Property size: 3.2 acres
Trail Terrain: Mowed paths
Habitat: Invasive thicket, pine/oak woods
Using Land Bank and Community Preservation Act funds and with significant contributions from neighbors and CCF, the Town purchased this parcel in 2006. No on-site parking is available. It is recommended to park at Oyster Pond which is about 0.5 miles away. From Oyster Pond walk south on Stage Harbor Road turning right onto Cedar Street. The signed entrance is a quarter-mile down Cedar Street on the left, shortly before you reach Robinson Court.
Chatham Town Trails
Explore a variety of Cape Cod's ecosystems, including woodlands, freshwater ponds and marshlands.