Bell’s Neck Ring Completed Around Reservoir in Harwich

HARWICH – A chainsaw-cutting ceremony was held last week for the opening of the Bell’s Neck ring, which was completed and now links to the former Hall property and connects a loop of public trails around the West Reservoir in Harwich.

The town purchased the 4.1 acres of land in February and the Harwich Conservation Trust has worked with the town to protect the Hall parcel.

“Now folks have an opportunity to walk all the way around the reservoir, something that hasn’t been possible until now,” said HCT Executive Director Michael Lach.

The land was purchased by the town because it is the last undeveloped and unprotected land around the reservoir.

The town also wants to protect wildlife habitat and water quality.

“It’s full of diversity of habitats and wildlife and it’s quite an opportunity for folks to take in nature in that part of Harwich,” said HCT Executive Director Michael Lach.

The town purchased the 6.5 acre property to the west of the Herring River for $400,000 in 2013.

The Harwich Conservation Trust has been working with the town to develop a ring of conservation land around the reservoir and river.

The multi-use bike trail now creates access to the new entry point of the trails that links to the ring around the reservoir.

At the chainsaw-cutting ceremony, the division of highways and maintenance was thanked for the creation of trails and the Cape Cod Five Charitable Foundation for providing money for planning and permitting.
By JUSTIN SAUNDERS, CapeCod.com Newscenter