HomeMy WebLinkAboutBFD-OldJailLane-Dec2025 1
Proposal to Create a Natural Surface Trail
Along Old Jail Lane on Barnstable Fire District Land
New England Mountain Bike Association (NEMBA)
Cape Cod Chapter
December 8, 2025
Proposal
Old Jail Lane is becoming increasingly popular with bikers and runners traveling between points
south such as Hathaway’s Pond Recreation Area and points north including Old Jail Lane
Conservation Area. The narrow and winding Old Jail Lane is the main route between these
areas and is subject to potential vehicle conflicts throughout the year. To address these safety
concerns and provide other benefits, the Cape Cod chapter of the New England Mountain Bike
Association (NEMBA) proposes the creation of a 1,000-foot-long connector trail from the
northerly side of Old Jail Lane within the Barnstable Fire District.
Trail Goals
• Improve safety for walkers, runners, and bikers traveling between Old Jail Lane
Conservation Area and Hathaways Pond Conservation Area
• Create opportunities for healthy recreational activities including mountain biking
• Decrease conflicts between motor vehicles and non-motorized travelers on Old Jail Lane
- especially important for children and younger walkers/riders as there are no sidewalks
available on Old Jail Lane
• Improve trail network connectivity
• Discourage unauthorized activities by encouraging responsible public use
The trail will improve monitoring of the area by responsible users who care about the
environment. Our members have found that many conservation areas become habitat for
illegal campers (including Barnstable Fire District parcels). People engaged in illicit activities do
not like to be observed and will seek other areas that are not visited by responsible users. We
have also found that trail access can be compatible with water department functions.
Sanctioned trails are found in water districts throughout Cape Cod and beyond. The trail will be
aligned to minimize the potential for erosion and avoid any essential water department
functions or installations.
In addition, NEMBA uses sustainable trail building techniques to minimize runoff/erosion. A
benefit of this approach is that NEMBA-designed trails allow for adaptive mountain biking for
disabled riders to enjoy.
2
Potential conflicts are a frequent occurrence along the winding Old Jail Lane
About Us
NEMBA (New England Mountain Bike Association) is a recreational trails advocacy organization
with 36 chapters throughout New England and has over 10,000 members. Our local chapter
currently has over 250 members. Our mission is to promote the best that mountain biking has
to offer, steward the trail systems where we recreate and preserve open space. We are an
educational 501 (c) 3 non-profit. We lead nearly a thousand mountain bike rides a season, put
on various skills clinics and trail building schools, and advocate for mountain biking and
recreational trails. We put on hundreds of trail-building and maintenance events in scores of
parks in the region and donate over 10,000 hours of volunteerism to local parks. We work with
key leaders and land managers to protect our sport and allow our members to give back to the
trails and to the sport they love.
3
Old Jail Lane (inside red oval above) is the main travel route between Hathaways Pond and Old
Jail Lane Conservation Area. Thicker white lines show busiest trails/roads.
Source: Strava Heat Map/Mountain Biking
Our Cape Cod Chapter leadership team consists of Frank Merola as President, and Lev
Malakhoff and Dave Lafreniere as Vice-Presidents. Our secretary is Karen Zunti and our
treasurer is Rich Higgins. Our team and our membership strive to be seen as partners in
responsible use of our precious natural areas. Our Chapter has contributed hundreds of
volunteer hours to Barnstable specifically to maintain trails and enhance the pathway network
for all passive recreation users. These efforts include approved trails in Hathaway’s Pond and
Old Jail Lane Conservation Areas.
4
Old Jail Lane’s trails are enjoyed by riders of various abilities
Scope of Work
The new trail will begin on the north side of Old Jail Lane approximately 150’ to the west of
Phinneys Lane and travel parallel to Old Jail Lane (offset varies due to topography). At the
western end of the trail the route will move northerly to avoid private land. The trail will
terminate at the intersection of two existing trails (Pine Lane and Hot Bottom Road) both of
which do not permit motorized vehicles. Pine Lane is part of the Main Trail in the town’s Cape
Cod Pathways plan.
Upon approval by the Barnstable Water District, NEMBA volunteers will create a pathway
approximately 4’ wide suitable for all allowable trail users (walkers, runners, bikers, etc.). Trail
alignment will be flagged by NEMBA and approved by BFD personnel before mowing. A Gravely
mower will be used to create the path surface and powered hedge trimmers will be used to
remove remaining brambles/stems. No mature trees will be cut; a minimal number of saplings
(<2” diameter) may be removed if necessary. Sections of logs may be removed by chainsaw as
needed. Liability for pathway creation will be covered under NEMBA insurance as part of a
sanctioned trail work event.
Next Steps
Cape Cod NEMBA trail planners look forward to discussing the plan with the Water District
officials and answer any questions
5
Phinneys Lane Ol
d
J
a
i
l
L
a
n
e
Hathaway Pond
Conservation Area
Old Jail Lane
Conservation
Area
H
o
t
B
o
t
t
o
m
R
o
a
d
Pr
o
p
o
s
e
d
T
r
a
i
l
6
Parcel map showing approximate location of proposed trail (purple line)
7
Trail networks encourage responsible users on water department lands
Trail network on water department lands in Yarmouth
Trail network on water department land in West Barnstable