News Release

Cape Cod National Seashore Begins Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail Repair

Work is underway to repair deteriorated sections of the Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail

NPS

News Release Date: February 14, 2020

Contact: Brian Carlstrom, 508-957-0701

WELLFLEET, Mass. – Cape Cod National Seashore’s Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail will be repaired this spring. A collaborative improvement project between Cape Cod National Seashore and Friends of the Cape Cod National Seashore is now underway.  The Friends raised $75,000 for the work that is being matched by a National Park Service Centennial Challenge Grant.

This project will focus on replacing about 300 feet of wooden boardwalk and two seating platforms.  This is the last remaining wooden section of the 2,500-foot-long boardwalk. The boardwalk was originally constructed by the Job Corps in the 1960s and most of it was resurfaced with plastic lumber in the early 2000s.  It was one of the first boardwalks to use a composite material for the walking surface.

Conservation principles will be put into practice as part of the project. Cedar tree trunks, recovered through the park’s fire management program, will be used to replace rotted boardwalk support pilings, where possible.  The park will use the same material as used in the reconstruction of the Red Maple Swamp trail in Eastham in 2018. Polyforce recycled material was selected not only for its structural integrity but also for its environmental compatibility and lack of PVCs.  Sawdust will be captured and removed from the project site, so it does not enter the wetlands. There will be no new holes dug for this project - all existing posts will be replaced in old post holes.

The Atlantic White Cedar Swamp Trail goes through one of the unique and beautiful areas on Cape Cod. The White Cedar Swamp is an isolated remnant of an ecosystem created after the last ice age which is now normally found in mid-Canada or further north.

“Through public advocacy and $75,000 in financial support from Friends, the profile of this project was raised to the national level, making a compelling case for it to be funded through the Centennial Challenge program.  Thank you to the Friends and everyone who donated to this important project,” said Cape Cod National Seashore Superintendent Brian Carlstrom. “Our neighbors and visitors love this outstanding trail, and we want to keep it in excellent condition for everyone to enjoy.”