CHATHAM – In 2010, marine biologist Dr. Greg Skomal tagged an 18-foot white shark off the coast of the Cape. She was given the name Curly and is, to date, the largest great white shark ever tagged along these shores. While the real Curly is likely still swimming somewhere in the Atlantic, shark enthusiasts can get a sense of her impressive size by visiting the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Shark Center in Ch...

HARWICH — The board of appeals has unanimously approved a variance for a trimmed-down proposal for a miniature golf course on the Emulous Hall Realty Trust property at the corner of Route 28 and Sisson Road. This is the second time proponents have sought to develop a miniature golf course on the property, which includes Bud’s Go Karts and an antiques store. In April, a previous proposal seeking a 36-hole cours...

HARWICH —The town's summer recreation programs are being put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recreation Department Director Eric Beebe said the summer playground program and the swimming and tennis programs were being canceled, at least for the beginning of the season. He'll be keeping a close eye on what will be allowed in the third phases of Gov. Charlie Baker’s reopening of Massachusetts. “There ar...

During the COVID-19 emergency, public health officials are encouraging people to enjoy time outdoors, as long as they’re still observing social distancing precautions. But let’s face it...how many walks around the neighborhood can a person take? Enter Geocaching, the outdoor treasure hunt that allows users to explore conservation areas and other public lands, stretching their legs and exercising their brains. ...

CHATHAM – Even as the Castle in the Clouds playground at Harwich Elementary School was being demolished, work was ramping up on a new playground at Chatham Elementary School. The new community playground is the culmination of a years-long process to improve the play areas on the east side of the Depot Road school and included upgrading drainage and installing irrigation. Work began a few weeks ago on the main ...

HARWICH — The proposal by Monomoy Regional High School Junior Lily Daniels-Diehl to revegetate and restore the wildlife habitat in Brooks Park Hollow, damaged by a tornado in July, was greeted with unanimous support by the Recreation and Youth Commission. Daniels-Diehl has developed a comprehensive proposal through her Global Studies Program to revitalize the hollow, which lost dozens of trees when the July 23...

HARWICH — Several days after the Monomoy Regional School Committee voted to close the Castle in the Clouds because of safety concerns, the board of selectmen this week voted to have the playground torn down. The decision came after an onsite inspection of the aging facilities by town and school officials, teachers and members of the Parent Teachers Organization.  The demolition began Wednesday. Among the many ...

CHATHAM — Though they said they would investigate the possibility of planting shrubs to screen the view of the Chase Park labyrinth from a neighboring house, selectmen this week rejected the idea that activities at the park are disruptive to the neighborhood. Selectmen this week heard from Ernest “Tripp” Walen, who owns the house next to the labyrinth and who complained to the parks and recreation commission i...

*This article has been updated to include corrected information as not all of the results information provided was accurate* PLEASANT BAY – There are many sailing vessels in the world, but the catboat is about as Cape Cod as it gets, and on Aug. 17 catboat enthusiasts set sails aloft as they took to the waters of Pleasant Bay for the 2019 Arey's Pond Cat Gathering. The 27 th annual event was sailed by 72 c...

CHATHAM – Chase Park neighbors are concerned about what they see as its escalating use, including regular events held at the labyrinth at the rear of the property. In a sometimes contentious meeting July 16, park and recreation commission members countered that the park, located off Cross Street, is not heavily used and is open to all members of the public. “It is a park and it is for the entire community,”...

CHATHAM – The Atlantic White Shark Conservancy was created with public safety, research, and education in mind, and this summer the nonprofit is taking the public safety piece to heart with its new Shark Smart Beach Program at Lighthouse Beach. Each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between 9 and 10 a.m., folks from the AWSC will be offering informational talks on sharks and shark safety. “We want to increase t...

CHATHAM – When Susan Carroll and Jamie Neithold-Nash set out on a special sojourn in Spain this spring, little did they know a painted rock seen along their trek would sum up their trip perfectly: A Traveler is a human being on a spiritual journey. A Pilgrim is a spiritual being on a human journey. While the pair's shared journey along the Camino Walk had its share of human moments, both Nash and Carroll agree ...

HARWICH — Hinckley’s Pond is expected to receive an alum treatment in September to remove excessive phosphorus which has lead to numerous algae blooms and fish kills in the pond in recent years. Town officials were successful, after a couple of proposals, in getting the community preservation committee to provide funds from the recreational category of the Community Preservation Act for the treatment. The comm...

CHATHAM – Within the Rolf E. Sylvan Gardens Conservation Area, there are hundreds of plant species, many of them left over from the days when Sylvan operated Lower Cape Nursery on the land. “There's just so much stuff in here,” said Cynthia “DooDee” Nowak, a landscaper who grew up and still lives nearby. “There's stuff programmed to bloom all the way through the fall.” Known for years for its lavish display...

ORLEANS — Eleven men are stretching their limbs, and maybe their lifespans, at the senior center. The town's recreation director, Alan Harrison, is calling out directions and encouragement. “Excellent,” he says. To which one man responds, “Glad you think so.” It's another easygoing session of the adult men's fitness class, one of several new offerings provided by Harrison. “We had nothing for the senio...

SOUTH CHATHAM — The caution tape is down and the playground at the tiny South Chatham Park is open for business. It’s a welcome sight for neighbors, who’ve been lobbying for improvements since 2015. “The next phase is underway,” Parks and Recreation Director Dan Tobin said this week. In the next few days, contractor T.W. Nickerson will be installing fine, compact gravel to complete a handicap-accessible w...