Saving the Bowler Property

In these times of skyrocketing real estate values and dwindling public resources, the success of any attempt to preserve land from development might appear unlikely. An endless supply of people seem willing to spend huge sums for their piece of the American dream. Every day many square miles of America’s open land are bulldozed flat, divided into lots, and made easily accessible via the application of tons of asphalt. Few seem to think this is a good thing, but what can be done? There is simply too much money to be made in this game. To actually preserve open space and save it from development in this climate requires great innovation and creativity.

The first acquisition of the Belchertown Land Trust is a good example of such resourcefulness. This 42.48-acre parcel of land, located on South Liberty Street on either side of South Street, is a desirable spot for preservation. Its mix of woods and fields, meandering stone walls, and the neighboring farmhouses and barns, exemplifies a type of New England landscape that has remained unchanged for 100 years. When this property came up for sale it was evident the land would immediately sprout a sub-division containing as many as 25 houses, and another bit of open land would be lost forever.

Lacking the funds to buy the land outright and preserve it, the Land Trust came up with an alternate strategy. We bought the parcel with a mortgage and split it into five large parcels, which vary from 4.2 and 17.5 acres. These have been sold with Conservation Restrictions that limit development. Thus, instead of obliterating more than 40 acres of farmland into housing units, the property will remain relatively unchanged and retain its agricultural character.

Conservation Restrictions are a well-established method for saving land from rapacious development. A Conservation Restriction is a legal agreement that permanently limits development and protects conservation values, while leaving ownership and management in private hands.

The Land Trust encourages interested owners to plan ahead to preserve their land for future generations.

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