Conservation Lands
Kettle Holes Conservation Area
Moraine Trail—Central Section
The town purchased some 400 acres on the glacial moraine in 1980 with the primary goal of building a technology park, and secondary goal of setting aside land for a wastewater treatment plant. However, the West Falmouth tract would later serve as a cornerstone of the 10-mile trail that extends from Route 151 down to Long Pond. As with the entire moraine, this section of the trail, between Thomas Landers and Blacksmith Shop roads, is rugged with steep kettle holes.
The town land was enlarged with the purchase of 41 acres from the Steamship Authority in 2003. This long, narrow parcel off Blacksmith Shop Road had been eyed by the boatline as an off-site parking lot for travelers headed for Martha’s Vineyard. Now municipal land, it could be used for an expansion of the West Falmouth treatment plant. From Thomas Landers Road, the moraine trail follows Research Road in Falmouth Technology Park south and enters the woods on the eastern side of this section. The trail was re-routed a few years ago to skirt the large spray irrigation area of the treatment plant. The trail then goes west through the former Steamship Authority parcel, coming out on Blacksmith Shop Road just east of the Service Road that leads to the treatment plant. Parking is available on Research Road, at the trail head, and on the Service Road. The Moraine Trail through the Kettle Holes is just over two miles.
South of this portion of the Moraine Trail is the Collins Woodlot, 130 acres of conservation land with a network of looping trails. A detailed map of the Moraine Trail is available at The 300 Committee office.
