[CT Birds] The Merritt Property

[Tom and Dorothy Wadlow]

Hi All,

 

 I read with interest and sadness the recent postings regarding the property
near Hammonassett.  It was unfortunately too late to save that land from
development.  In Groton, we are facing a similar problem, but hopefully with
a happier ending.  After a long battle the Groton Open Spaces Association
(GOSA) has just won a lawsuit allowing them to buy the Merritt Property
rather than having it divided into 48 home sites.  The 75 acre Merritt
Property is located between the summit of Fort Hill and Fishtown Road.  It
connects to Haley Farm and Bluff Point through the town's Mortimer Wright
Preserve and to other greenbelt preserves to the east.  The site is a mature
forest with several vernal pools, an active un-named stream and numerous
large trees which survived the 1938 Hurricane.  Although CT DEP has awarded
GOSA a grant of $650,000 for the Merritt Property, they still need to raise
$200,000 to complete the purchase.  Here is a chance where it's not too late
for birders to help out.  Donations can be mailed to GOSA, P.O. Box 9187,
Groton, CT 06340-9187.  For more information, contact Sidney Van Zandt at
svanzandt3 at aol.com.  

 

Dorothy Wadlow