HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter - Barnstable Main Trail in CummaquidPlanning and Development Department – Jim Kupfer – Interim Director – 367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601
Phone: 508-862-4785 Fax: 508-862-4784
Committee Members
Ann Canedy – Chair Farley Lewis – Vice Chair
Elissa Crowley Cate Gulliver Elizabeth Lewis Douglas Payson Tracy Pratt Anne Rowland Lev Malakhoff
Kristine Clark – Town Council Liaison
Staff Support
Genna Ziino – Administrative Assistant (genevey.ziino@town.barnstable.ma.us)
August 5, 2024
Mark Ells
Town Manager
367 Main Street
Hyannis, MA, 02601
RE: Barnstable Main Trail in Cummaquid
Dear Mark:
On June 10, 2024, the Open Space Committee voted to support the acquisition of easements or clarification of the
status of Flint Rock Road to ensure access for a segment of the Cape Cod Pathways in Cummaquid.
Users traveling along the town of Barnstable's "Main Trail" (a route of the Cape Cod Pathways from Sandwich to
Yarmouth) are currently crossing these properties on an informal basis. The Committee (which is charged with
implementing and promoting the Cape Cod Pathways Plan per town regulations § 241-44.5) is concerned that
private property owners may prohibit access in the future.
As you may be aware, Barnstable’s Main Trail is nearing completion. The route from the Town of Sandwich to
Cummaquid is fully contiguous. The segment from Mary Dunn Road to the Town of Yarmouth will be
formalized with the completion of the Cape Cod Rail Trail extension planned for this fall. The credit for much of
this effort goes to the staff of the Barnstable Land Trust who have prepared a brochure showing the route:
https://blt.org/s/Cape-Cod-Pathways-Map-w.pdf
The area in question is along Flint Rock Road south of Boulder Road in Cummaquid:
Town of Barnstable
Open Space Committee
Formerly Land Acquisition and Preservation Committee (see Town Council Agenda 2023-196)
www.town.barnstable.ma.us/OpenSpaceCommittee
Planning and Development Department – Jim Kupfer – Interim Director – 367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601
Phone: 508-862-4785 Fax: 508-862-4784
The full map is available on the town website here:
https://www.town.barnstable.ma.us/Departments%2fConservation%2fTrails_and_Pathways%2fCape-Cod-
Pathways-Map-4.pdf
The Main Trail in this area follows Flint Rock Road (this road was realigned in the 1950s due to the construction
of the Mid-Cape Highway). Barnstable property maps show that the road alignment is unavailable across three
privately owned parcels:
Planning and Development Department – Jim Kupfer – Interim Director – 367 Main Street, Hyannis, MA 02601
Phone: 508-862-4785 Fax: 508-862-4784
Ownership of the properties in question are listed as:
Jean N. and Cynthia H. Guerlain
Guerlain Family Trust
99 Boulder Road
Barnstable MA 02630
Parcel I.D. 315009
Michael W. and Lynne G. Turner
75 Boulder Road
Barnstable MA 02630
Parcel I.D. 315011
Marylou and George Blanchard, Trustees
Marylou Blanchard Trust
61 Boulder Road
Barnstable MA 02630
Parcel I.D. 315013
The Committee has asked me to seek your support to have town staff ascertain the legal access of Flint Rock
Road and the acquisition of easements approximately 15' wide for the length needed to cross the properties in
question if needed.
As a town councilor, I was aware of rather adamant objections on the part of at least one of the landowners in
question and in fact, recall that the kiosks and other directional signs were taken down as a consequence.
Therefore, although the Committee voted to direct me to report to you their wishes, as I told them, I do so with
some reluctance and hesitation and prior knowledge of the situation. I am hopeful that perhaps the atmosphere has
improved and the opportunity is there.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Sincerely,
Ann Canedy, Chair,
Open Space Committee
CC: Kris Clark, Open Space Committee Town Council Liaison
Jim Kupfer, Interim Director of Planning & Development
Lindsey Counsell, Chair, Community Preservation Committee
Genna Ziino, Administrative Assistant