For me, it's a gift, a treasured area in Harwich
— Mark Russell, Harwich resident
Loving the (All Access) Outdoors
Harwich Conservation Trust says creating full accessibility begins with awareness - and its all persons trail at the Robert F Smith Cold Brook Preserve shows how to make it happen
Click on image to watch short reported story about the accessible path at Robert F Smith Cold Brook Preserve
22 August 2026 – HARWICH, MA – Accessible walking trails feel far and few in between, but Harwich Conservation Trust shows that it doesn’t have to be that way. Several of its trails, including the Robert F Smith Cold Brook Preserve incorporate “all persons” trails into nature.
What is Cold Brook Preserve?
Mark Russell is enjoying an early August morning, listening to the sound of birds and watching a swan family glide arcoss the pond. The pounding heat of the day hasn’t yet here at Robert F Smith Cold Brook Preserve in Harwich and Russell, like a number of other walkers, birdwatchers, joggers, families, and nature lovers, is just taking in the moment.
But enjoying a walk around this pond comes with a twist. Russell grew up in Harwich – and like so many others he and his wife returned to Cape Cod to raise family. He’s always loved the Cape’s natural places, but an accident as a young adult made accessing them a challenge.
“Its hard to get out in nature sometimes when you’re using a chair,” he said, “It changes the dynamics.”
The trail itself is a part of a restoration of 66 acres of unused cranberry bogs off Bank Street in Harwich, connecting wetlands through to Nantucket Sound . The project restored the wetlands ecosystem, added critical natural nitrogen filtering, and offered a literal path into that ongoing rebirth cycle to people – all people, regardless of mobility.
Why does Harwich Conservation Trust care about accessible trails?
Tom Evans, President of the Harwich Conservation Trust Board (HCT) of Trustees, said that the a commitment to accessibility is part of the organization’s DNA and this particular trail – dedicated to the organization’s founder Robert F Smith – is especially meaningful
“There a little bit of history around the accessible trail for HCT and our conviction about ADA trails and accessibly” he said.
Who was Bob Smith?
Bob Smith, a Harwich attorney, was diagnosed with MS while in college and spent most of his adult life with the progressive disease. For at least 15 years he was confined to an electric wheelchair. His passion for the town and his volunteer work for the environment literally changed the landscape of the town, preserving and protecting open space for public use.
“So here’s this guy who was working tirelessly on behalf of the trust and the town, trying to protect these wonderful benefits and assets for the town that he himself would not be able to enjoy,” said Evans.
“So it is sort of in memory of Bob that we try to be sure our trails are accessible as reasonably possible. “
How is an accessible trail planned?
Getting to an accessible trail starts with awareness, said Evans and Russell. And then, it quickly moves into planning, technology, and of course funding.
Evans said it cost about $50 a linear foot for the stabilized stone dust needed to meet the standards. This technology is durable, hard, and pervious. That is, it feels like a strong solid surface, but water can flow through it.
How is an accessible trail built?
The material is applied much like asphalt, within a similar temperature range and with similar machines. A polymer within the mix bonds together the stone dust, create a tough and long-lasting trail.
Mass Audubon uses it on some of its trails and HCT has used it at Hinckley Pond- Herring River project on a 1 mile trail. It also has another bog project in the works with plans to incorporate an all-person trail, but this one might move the needle forward.
“The good news is engineering marvels are bringing us a new material that we believe meets the standard at half the cost,” he said with excitement.
Why do accessible trails matter?
“Any time there’s someplace to interact with the outside and it’s accessible , that’s really valuable,” said Russell.
“For me, it’s a gift; a treasure here in Harwich.”
For more information
- Harwich Conservation Trust https://harwichconservationtrust.org/
- Cold Brook Preserve trail information and map
