Legislative event celebrates Cold Brook and Old Bank Street Firehouse projects

The fruitful partnership between the Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT) and the Harwich Fire Association (HFA) was front and center at the annual Cape Cod Land Conservation Legislative Day event, held on May 23rd at HCT’s Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve in Harwich Port.

Town officials, legislators and land trust staff from several Cape communities assembled in the Old Bank Street Firehouse to hear more about the recently completed eco-restoration project at the Preserve, and the historic preservation effort at the firehouse, which will include three units of affordable housing.

“Today is a celebration of the partnerships that help preserve our beautiful peninsula,” said Tom Evans, President of HCT’s Board of Trustees. “You all play an important role in saving land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life.”

Town officials, legislators and land trust staff from several Cape communities attended the annual Cape Cod Land Conservation Legislative Day event at Harwich Conservation Trust’s Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve in Harwich Port. Harwich Conservation Trust photo

‘An exciting initiative’

The Cold Brook Eco-Restoration Project included multiple land acquisitions, the rewilding of a mile of stream, native plantings and the creation of four ponds. The effort also included the construction of a half-mile wheelchair accessible All Persons Trail, allowing people of all abilities to experience the beauty of nature.

“This is such an exciting initiative,” said Hadley Luddy, State Representative from the 4th Barnstable District. “It’s so terrific to see where conservation and restoration can also address things like affordable housing needs.”

Norm Clarke, former Harwich Fire Chief and current HFA member, has spent many hours working on the firehouse preservation project. It’s been kind of a full-circle journey for Clarke, who started his long firefighting career at the Old Bank Street Firehouse on July 17, 1977.

“This is where it all began for me,” said Clarke. “It really adds a special meaning to what we’re doing here.”

Hadley Luddy, State Representative from the 4th Barnstable District, speaks at the annual Cape Cod Land Conservation Legislative Day event, held on May 23rd at the Old Bank Street Firehouse and Harwich Conservation Trust’s Robert F. Smith Cold Brook Preserve. Harwich Conservation Trust photo

‘Odd Couple’ connects

Clarke said the partnership between HFA and HCT was “almost like divine intervention.” And he had the crowd chuckling when he described his relationship with HCT Executive Director Michael Lach:

“You’ve got this really smart, dynamic guy who knows about all this stuff, and you’ve got this grumpy, old ex-fire chief,” said Clarke. “And we’re connected. We are the present day ‘Odd Couple.’ With their guidance and our drive to get things done, we made it work.”

Jeff Handler, Chair of the Harwich Select Board, praised the partnerships that restored land, preserved a historic building and created affordable housing. “These kinds of complex projects can only be made possible when people and organizations work together,” he said.

This spring, the Cold Brook project won two major statewide awards, including the Conservation Excellence Award from the Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition (MLTC) and the 2025 Grand Conceptor Award, presented to project partners by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts.

Robb Johnson, MLTC’s Executive Director said land trusts around the Cape had a lot to be proud of. “The Cape and Islands are leaders in the statewide land conservation community,” said Johnson. “So many robust land trusts have done so much amazing work, including this project by the Harwich Conservation Trust.”

The Cold Brook Eco-Restoration Project was funded by the Town of Harwich voters and Community Preservation Fund, State Division of Ecological Restoration, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and HCT donors. The Old Bank Street Firehouse restoration including the affordable apartments were funded by Town of Harwich voters, Community Preservation Fund, and the Town’s Affordable Housing Trust.