Saving Westport

By Brian J. Lowney

The pristine and picturesque town of Westport continues to remain forefront in the call to preserve open space and create prime wildlife habitats for residents to appreciate today and in the future.

Since 1972, more than 4,700 acres of open space, farmland, and wildlife habitat have been permanently protected by the Westport Land Conservation Trust (WLCT) in partnership with the Town of Westport, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and many community partners and fellow residents who are eager to share the beauty of this important treasure. According to Brendan Buckless, Outreach and Stewardship Coordinator at the WLCT, the non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to land conservation has recently undergone several new changes and developed new programs. “Last November, we opened our new office at 573 Adamsville Road,” he began. “The property was purchased from the Diocese of Fall River and was turned into a beautiful park.” Buckless says that the property, which was purchased in 2018, was once home to the St. Vincent de Paul Camp. The community rallied to save the 82-acre parcel, identified as a significant natural and cultural resource, in an effort to create Westport’s first community park. Now known as Westport Woods Conservation Park, the property contains 21 acres of open space, almost three miles of open trails through 61 acres of forest, and various natural play elements for children and families. “The park is a great place for picnicking and connecting with nature,” Buckless adds, noting that the protection of this property was made possible with funding from the Westport Community Preservation Fund, the Town of Westport’s Agricultural Open Space Preservation Trust Fund, Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, BayCoast Bank, and more than 175 private donors, many of whom who reside in the town. “The park is open throughout the year from dawn to dusk,” he continues. “This is

"The park is a great place

for picnicking and connecting

with nature "

a non-traditional take on the concept of a traditional American park.” Buckless emphasizes that park visitors are responsible for managing trash pickup and collecting waste for canine visitors. The park is also handicap accessible. “The Children’s Garden harkens back to a different time,” the outreach coordinator reflects. “The garden encourages young people to develop a positive attitude for agriculture and horticulture.”

The longtime Westporter, who spends the majority of his working days outside in the great outdoors, describes his vital role in land conservation as “for the enjoyment of the public.” Buckless says that he also has developed a deep appreciation for native warm season grasses and other plants indigenous to the region and is busy planting and cultivating these grasses. In other developments, the WLCT has sold the former Santos Farm on Main Road. The large property was recently sold to a local family farm, now owned by Andrew and Shauna Ferry, who will own the property with Andrew's parents Mike and Deborah Ferry. The protected family farm will continue to operate as a working dairy farm. In conjunction with the Westport Cultural Council, the third summer Artist-inResidence program features sculptor and artist Andy Moerlein at the Westport Woods. The workshop will be conducted August 14-15, with a closing talk August 19, 6 p.m., at the DeDee Shattuck Gallery, 1 Partners Lane, Westport. Call (508) 636-4177 for more information. For a complete list of recreational sites maintained by the WLCT, visit their website: westportportlandtrust.org.

The Children's Garden encourages "

young people to develop a positive attitude for agriculture and

horticulture "

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