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Freeport Conservation Trust Accepts Two Conservation Properties

August 4, 2008, Freeport, ME -- Freeport Conservation Trust (FCT) has received gifts of two properties: 52 acres of open space land off Litchfield Road in Freeport and Little French Island in Casco Bay. Both properties are now protected from future development or subdivision and will have public access for low-impact recreation.

The 52-acre property off Litchfield Road, part of the West Cove subdivision, was donated to FCT by Edwin and June Edson of Freeport. This is the third donation of property to Freeport Conservation Trust under Freeport’s open space subdivision ordinance which requires that one-half of the buildable area of new subdivisions in most residential zoning districts be set aside for open space. In addition, West Cove LLC, developer of the West Cove subdivision, has agreed to a $20,600 contribution to FCT’s property stewardship fund. The West Cove open space abuts Calderwood preserve, another FCT-owned property, and will eventually be part of FCT’s East Freeport Trail network, which will include future trails from Maquoit Bay to Mitchell Ledge Farm. Access to the West Cove open space from Litchfield Road will be via trail easements donated by the Edsons and Glenn Flanders of Bowdoinham to FCT in 2007. The West Cove open space is primarily woods and wetlands, and its preservation protects a portion of the Little River which flows through the property on its way to Casco Bay.

FCT’s second recent acquisition, Little French Island in Casco Bay, was donated to Freeport Conservation Trust by Richard Housley of Hanover, MA, and David and Andrea Quinlan of Yorba Linda, CA, with assistance from Margaret Browne, of Charlottesville, Virginia and Washington County, Maine. Their gift to FCT provides public access to the island for low-impact recreational use. The island, approximately 2 acres at high tide, is uninhabited and is accessible by kayak.

1977-2007: Celebrating 30 Years of Keeping Freeport Green

By Ed Brainard - June 2008

During the last 30 years Freeport Conservation Trust has made significant and lasting contributions to the Town of Freeport, and with your support we are positioned to continue.

It is valuable to take a minute to reflect what 30 years means. Between 1970 and 2006, the population of Freeport increased from 4800 to 8100 people, which is a significant 69% increase. Changes to the landscape are striking and include many new houses and subdivisions in the rural areas of town, the downtown becoming primarily company stores and parking lots, and the increase of residents commuting to Portland for work. What were you doing in 1978?  I imagine it is quite different from the present!

FCT’s impact on the town’s landscape over these 30 years has been subtle but also powerful.  With the effort of FCT board members, volunteers, and landowners we have protected over 44 properties and 1,400 acres with 880 acres having public access.

When I drive into South Freeport from the south, the protected fields of Talbot Farm always provide calming, beautiful views. Similarly, leaving South Freeport, it is thrilling to see Mt. Washington glowing in the morning sun; an FCT easement protects the viewshed from any building. The unpaved section of road passing through Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park is protected by an easement held by the Trust, and adds to the character and value of the park. With the protection of Mitchell Ledge Farm last year, the rural character of Flying Point Road will be sustained. Views of Maquoit Bay on outer Flying Point Road are also protected: Means Massacre Field was one of FCT’s first easements, donated by the Smiths, while the nearby Trub Field is the Trust’s most recent easement. In north Freeport, views from Grant Road across the fields of the town’s Hidden Pond preserve are guaranteed by an easement held by FCT. Out on the Bay, FCT holds easements on several of the lovely string of Silver Isles.

Properties owned by FCT are visited often by local residents, and the public access is valued.  Many walkers enjoy being outdoors in Sayles Field daily. For several years visitors have enjoyed the walk to Powell Point for views of the marsh and the Cousins River. Now they can also reach the river from the YMCA on the newly built Cousins River Trail. Quarry Woods, owned by the Town of Freeport and protected by an easement held by FCT, is used by neighbors and school children from Mast Landing School. At high tide in the summer, there are often people launching kayaks at the Trust’s Mill Stream Landing.

This year we plan to continue to increase public access through trail work, and to pursue opportunities for conservation with landowners. We are planning to construct over four miles of public access trail at Mitchell Ledge Farm, made possible with trail easements donated by six neighbors. The LeMaistre’s have already built the public parking area located on Litchfield Road. Completing this trail project will build momentum for trail connections in the east Freeport area.  In recent months the Trust has accepted two easements and made an agreement with a third landowner, each of which have provided trail links in this part of town.  We are also exploring a joint trail project with the Pownal Land Trust in west Freeport.

The efforts of many dedicated individuals over the last 30 years have successfully contributed to our mission to protect, preserve and connect open space lands and provide public access to natural areas in Freeport, including forests, farmland, scenic vistas, wildlife habitat, and shore land. Imagining how the town could change in the next 30 years provides motivation to continue protecting and connecting land in Freeport. I ask for your ongoing support to help us preserve this beautiful town.