Brunswick to acquire land for conservation

BRUNSWICK – Town officials said they have reached agreement to buy 112 acres that will be set aside for walkers and bikers along a Brunswick-to-the-Ocean Trail.

The previously unprotected land consists of two undeveloped tracts near the Town Commons – 17.3 acres to the north and 95 acres to the south.

Pete Didisheim, a member of Friends of the Commons which raised $150,000 in private donations for the sale, said the land undoubtedly would have been built on if it were not acquired for conservation.

“These were parcels that were almost certainly going to be developed,” he said. “In the past 20 years, there have been 270 homes built within one mile of the Town Commons. If the community hadn’t rallied behind the project, [the land] almost would have certainly filled up with houses.”

The $525,000 purchase comes after almost two years of private fund raising, with support from both the town and state. The Town Council allocated $225,000 for the purchase.

“I think it’s a very valuable addition to the town’s property,” said Town Manager Don Gerrish. “It was a great community project and will really benefit our community.”

The Land for Maine’s Future Board could donate $150,000 to the project. The state board will take a final vote next Tuesday after hearing public comment on the project.

The meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Pine Tree State Arboretum in Augusta.

The trail, already open to the public, will be maintained by the Brunswick Recreation Department. The department still must obtain permission for sections that would cross private property.

“It’s been a very popular project for the town,” Didisheim said. “Trails are almost worshipped by this community. We had a very strong response.”