A Brief History of Old Lyme's Open Space Program
The concept of setting aside open space has a long history going back to Colonial times, but the 1965 Town Plan of Development got the ball rolling by stating: “The general intent of the Plan is to retain the rural character of as much of the Town’s area as possible. The Plan proposes that considerable areas of land should become public open space, including all the wetland, salt marshes, and swamps, as well as extensive areas of rugged land in the interior. In addition, the future development of houses should be of the cluster type, so that each group or small colony can have some open space.”
The Plan suggested the establishment of a town forest in the north part of the Town, additional beach area, recreational lands, and a Town marina. The Commission recommended the establishment of a land acquisition fund and an annual appropriation of one mill on the tax rate.
The Old Lyme Conservation Trust
The Old Lyme Conservation Trust Inc. (OLCT) was formed in 1966 and dedicated its members to “preserve and enhance the rural character of life for the benefit of all inhabitants of the Town.” Since then OLCT has acquired over 70 properties that preserve some 700 acres and boasts 600 members.
The 1975 Plan of Development stated that about 68% of the land in Town was undeveloped. This situation presented an ideal opportunity to establish both passive and active open space to protect natural resources and enhance recreational opportunities. Public response to a Planning Commission questionnaire rated natural resource protection, development of a town beach, and control and direction of population of highest importance. Again one mill was called for to finance open space acquisition.
Watch Rock Success Story
In 1987 funding of the purchase of the 25 acre property known as Watch Rock was organized by the OLCT and the Ct. River Gateway Commission with more than 1000 donors supplying over $500,000 toward the purchase.
Old Lyme’s population doubled between 1960 and 1990. The 1990 Town Plan stated, “Land should be set aside as permanent open space to preserve important natural resources, provide for passive recreation, protect important drainage ways, and maintain the visual and aesthetic character of the Town.”
Current Open Space Committee
In 1995 the Planning Commission created the present open space committee, charged it with the task of writing an Open Space Plan, and requested that one mill be set aside for the acquisition of open space in a permanent fund. An ordinance establishing a permanent open space fund was passed in Jan. 1998, and $75,000. was deposited in the account. The Open Space Plan of 1997 became the official guide for the Town. The open space committee is made up of representatives from each of the land use commissions and also has representatives from the OLCT, the Gateway Commission, and former leaders of The Nature Conservancy in Connecticut.
Open Space Acquisition
The Town Ordinance of Jan. 1998 directs the open space committee to follow state statutes when presenting prospective parcels to the residents of Old Lyme for funding. The Committee’s tasks are to develop a list of prospective properties that meet the criteria stated in the Open Space Plan, make recommendations to the Conservation Commission, the Planning Commission, the Selectmen, the Finance Board, and the citizens at Town Meeting for the eventual acquisition of open space land. The Open Space Committee also makes recommendations to the Planning Commission for the location and use of open space on subdivision plans. The committee creates trails, provides signage, and establishes regulations to promote the passive recreational use of the properties once they are
acquired.
Successful Partnerships
The Open Space Committee works closely with The Nature Conservancy, the OLCT, the Gateway Commission, and the State of CT with its municipal grant program. The Bartholomew family really got the ball rolling in 1998 with the gift of 105 acres and an easement on 23 more acres at Griswold Point. Dave McCulloch and his family, working with The Nature Conservancy, placed a conservation easement on over 400 acres of their land. The Nature Conservancy and the OLCT with the assistance of a municipal grant acquired the 185-acre Lay property. We negotiated a bargain sale for the 25-acre Noyes parcel with the financial help of the OLCT. ~Old Lyme and Lyme worked together to make possible the State’s acquisition of the 180 acre MacCurdy-Salisbury property. Several partners
worked with the Town to acquire the 56-acre Roger Tory Peterson property. We also worked with our partners to acquire the 269-acre Fairfax property, known today as the Champlain Farm. The latest acquisition is a 105-acre parcel acquired from Steven Ames, 35 acres of which is in the form of a conservation easement.
New Phase
The open space program is moving into a new phase. Now that we have acquired land for passive recreational use, the Open Space Committee has the task of establishing, clearing, marking, and maintaining trails. It must assess the flora and fauna on the property, and create a different management plan for each property. We have to post signs dealing with the public’s use of the property, produce trail maps, establish a web site with maps and pertinent information about the various parcels, and encourage the public to use their newly acquired open space through scheduled walks, guided tours by naturalists, and articles in the press. All of this activity takes time and a great deal of hard work. We have been very fortunate to have the assistance of the “green crew,” a group of high school students and several adults who have spent part of their weekends clearing brush, removing invasive plants, and picking up trash from both land trust and town property.
Thanks to John Pfeiffer and David McCulloch and the hard work of Dane Pfeiffer and Dan Coffey the Ames parcel has a new parking lot with sign located across the street from the entrance.
Open Space Plan Update 2004
The Open Space Committee has just completed an update of the town’s official Open Space Plan of 1997. It has three new maps, comments on the success of the program, concerns about the impact of development on the rural quality of life in Old Lyme, criteria to select open space land for acquisition, and an action plan for the near future.
Trails
The 105 acre Bartholomew open space property is located just north of the railroad overpass on Buttonball Road. The loop trail is easy walking and takes about twenty minutes. Parking for two or three cars is available at the trail entrance.
Watch Rock Park is located on Joel Road off Caulkins Road near 156. A pleasant series of level trails link picnic spots along the outlet of Duck River. Parking is available for several cars. There is good fishing and crabbing off the rocks.
The 70-acre Deborah and Edward Ames property entrance is located across the street from Pfeiffer’s garage on Whippoorwill Road and about one hundred yards north of the bridge over I-95. Parking for several cars is available just north of the parking area for Pfeiffer’s garage. Be careful crossing the street as sight lines are poor.
The entrance to the 204-acre Champlain Farm (south) property is located at the end of Meetinghouse Lane where there is parking for several cars at the cul-de-sac. A large sign showing the trails is at the entrance. There is a loop trail with connections to Library Lane and Whippoorwill Road. Hikers have the choice of following the old roadway or walking the loop trail that does have a few steep spots that may be slippery when wet. The ridge trail parallels the old wood road.
The entrance to the 65-acre Champlain Farm (north) property is located just north of the Old Lyme Inn by way of Wyckford Road. There is parking in front of the gate for two or three cars. The trail starts here and follows the wood road to the big oak (16.5 feet in circumference). From the big oak there is a perimeter trail (orange markers) that heads north from the big oak to the stone wall marking the northern boundary, then it follows the stone wall to the east to a ridge where it turns south along the ridge all the way to the fence separating the property from I-95. then west along this fence, to the foundation of a huge barn, then back to the big oak. Much of the trail is rocky. There are numerous other trails throughout the property made by All Terrain Vehicles,
which are outlawed. The damage to stone walls, wetlands, and tree roots is very evident. Keep in mind that the ridges run north and south and that I-95 is the southern border of the property. The power line runs generally east and west. The perimeter trail takes an hour.
Other trails in town are identified on the OLCT web site at old-lymeconservtrust.org.
Rules
The following rules govern the use of all Old Lyme open space and generally apply to all Nature Conservancy and Conservation Trust parcels as well:
No motorized vehicles, especially ATVs
No fires, firearms, littering, cutting or removing of materials, camping.
The preserves are closed at sunset.
Drug and alcohol laws will be strictly enforced.
Please respect the property of adjoining landowners by not trespassing.
Report violators to the fire department, the DEP, or town /state police as appropriate.
Recommendations and Advisories
Entering upon any land preserve is at your own risk. Stewards of these properties make every effort to make them safe, but these are wild woodlands with many natural features that need your close attention to avoid injury. Please stay on the trails as bullbriers, poison ivy, poison oak, and multiflora rose are just waiting for the person who strays. Many dead hemlocks are still coming down at odd times. Wear proper footgear. We recommend long pants with cuffs tucked in the socks. Check yourself for ticks after you hike. Use cellophane tape to remove them from your clothes. While poisonous snakes are rare in Old Lyme, copperheads do live here. Try to avoid all snakes, as they are an important part of the ecology. If you are bitten by a copperhead, get to a hospital
emergency room as fast as you can. While hunting is not permitted on the preserves, it is wise to use Day-Glo orange while bicycling, running, or hiking through the woods in hunting season. Don’t rely on cell phone reception in most of our nature preserves. Bring your own water, as streams are considered unsafe for drinking water. Rest room facilities are not provided except at Watch Rock. Owners of dogs are expected to clean up after their pets and keep them under control at all times. You are encouraged to use a stick to flick sticks from the trails.
While Watch Rock is considered accessible to wheelchairs, there are large roots in the trail and some soft spots. We therefore request that you have a strong companion with you to assist you over the trails.
Town of Old Lyme Work Parties Policy
The Open Space Committee encourages the interest of other groups and organizations to aid in our stewardship work. Old Lyme Conservation Trust’s Green Crew and land stewards, as well as other volunteers are encouraged to contact the head of Stewardship, George James or another member of the Open Space Committee s, to review possible work projects.
1. The Open Space Committee will develop and maintain an annual work calendar covering its properties. The maintenance activities for each property will be described in specific terms for those items recommended in the management plan.
2. In scheduling work parties, priorities will be established in advance of the planned workday. This planning may include such things as marking specific trees to be cut down, identifying specific areas of invasive plants to be removed, designating specific water crossings for bridge construction, laying out new trails or designating certain sections of trails that need improved drainage.
3. The Open Space Committee will actively recruit volunteers to serve on work parties and will keep a list of those volunteers with special skills and/or with access to heavy equipment. If individuals wish to work alone on specific projects outside a scheduled work party day, they need to contact the head of Stewardship in advance.
4. A member of the Open Space Committee shall be assigned to coordinate any agreed upon project. The committee member will insure that safety equipment is being used properly, that experienced people will use chainsaws, brush hogs, tractors, etc., and that work is assigned according to the management plan.
5. Special attention must be directed toward the safety of young and inexperienced volunteers. No minor will be allowed to work without adult supervision. This includes the wearing of eye protection, wearing suitable clothing, and warnings about any dangers in the immediate area of work- poison ivy, stinging insects, leaning dead trees, poisonous snakes. It is vital that we make their volunteer experiences satisfying and safe.
7/13/2007
Those of you who would like to do volunteer work or join the “Green Team” to assist with trail maintenance, please call Open Space Chairman Diana Attwood Johnson at 434-9383 or Dick Conniff OLCT at 434-0193.
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