At its meeting Tuesday, Tuesday, the planning board recommended that the Martha’s Vineyard Land Bank create a five- to six-foot-wide dirt path within the public right of way, with minimum clearing of trees in the area. 

The Edgartown planning board heard complaints about the restoration of Swimming Place Path last week, but said the select board will be the decision makers on the project.

The town is seeking to improve public access to Swimming Place Path, a nearly 350-year-old trail that connects Herring Creek Road and the Road to the Plains. The ancient way was first recorded in Edgartown records in 1675.

On Saturday the West Tisbury byways committee will present a brief history of the old dirt paths and cart tracks that today are protected special ways within the town. The event begins at 2 p.m. in the town library.

A historic mail route in West Tisbury has been set aside for special protection from future development. The Martha’s Vineyard Commission late last week agreed to add Old Coach Road to a growing group of historic Island footpaths protected under the special ways critical planning district.

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission has taken steps to preserve the historic character of several West Tisbury roadways. Commissioners voted to designate Pine Hill, Red Coat Hill, Mott’s Hill and Shubael Weeks roads as special ways, affording them protections against future development.