Barnstable Land Trust has opened a new interpretive nature trail in Lowell Park, Home Field of the Cotuit Kettleers of the Cape Cod Baseball League.
Located in woodlands purchased for conservation by BLT in 2015, this half-mile trail was built with the help of local volunteers and is now open to the public. The new trail provides a beautiful walk through the woods and connects with existing trails to Mosswood Cemetery and residential neighborhoods. Hikers will also find educational markers highlighting native plants to Cape Cod late this summer.
With support from 1,600 individual donors, the Town of Barnstable and the Cotuit Water District, BLT purchased the 19-acre “green wall” of trees surrounding the iconic Kettleers park in 2015, preserving it from development forever. BLT immediately conveyed three acres under and around the playing field to the Town.
“During fundraising and planning for this project, I said ‘failure is not an option,’” recalled Jaci Barton, founding BLT executive director. “In order to preserve the field itself for future generations, we had to succeed. And thanks to the community, we did. These trails will give baseball aficionados, local families and visitors a woodland adventure along the way to experiencing a Kettleers game.”
“The new trail is a wonderful culmination of a long effort to preserve a very important, natural part of the village of Cotuit,” commented Jim Dannhauser, president of the Cotuit-Santuit Civic Association. “The effort garnered tremendous support from the people of Cotuit, recognizing how important it is to preserve the natural setting of Lowell Park and the beautiful place where the Kettleers play baseball.”
“As a community-oriented organization, we appreciate everything the Barnstable Land Trust has done. Their work helps us keep this jewel we are shepherding for and with the community,” remarked Bruce Murphy, general manager of the Cotuit Kettleers.
Barnstable Land Trust (BLT) is a community-supported, nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving open space and natural resources in the Town of Barnstable and nearby areas. BLT has protected 1,100 acres in Barnstable, and supported the town in conserving more than 10,000 more. To learn more about BLT, visit their website at http://www.BLT.org or call 508-771-2585.
