Town of Harwich: Island Pond Property

The Town of Harwich has been in the business of purchasing open space for years. Before Land Bank funding became available, the Harwich Land Trust already existed and had purchased properties through donations and fundraisers. The Island Pond property (pictured here) is unique because it was the first piece of land purchased in the Town of Harwich with Land Bank monies.

The property was originally to be developed to include 56 new homes, tennis courts, and swimming pools. However, before the deal was done, the owner had second thoughts and offered the Harwich Land Trust the property for $600,000 -- but there was a catch. The Trust had to come up with a $95,000 down payment within a couple of months. Until then, the Harwich Land Trust had only purchased property that never exceeded $250,000. Raising $95,000 as a deposit would be difficult in the short amount of time allotted; however, generating the next $500,000 was even more intimidating.

The Harwich Land Trust was able to procure the $95,000 needed and approached the town with their proposal. Success! Harwich voters agreed to the proposal. The landowner received his asking price and the town received its first parcel of open space acquired with Land Bank monies.

Ms. Isabel Smith, a former member of the Harwich Land Trust, a current member of the Harwich Conservation Trust, and chair of the town's Real Estate and Open Space Committee, spoke about some of the steps her committee follows before the purchase of open space parcels: "When doing a site inspection we look for issues such as a water supply-floodplain linkage, recreational value, green space, waterfront, wildlife habitat, development potential, scenic value, condition of property, unique/historical/public value, and size to name a few."

Ms. Smith's recommendation for anyone who wants to be involved in land acquisition is a quote she heard earlier in her life and is now one she lives by: "If you think you are too small to get anything accomplished, spend the night with a mosquito."

Ms. Smith is also adamant about gaining the approval of the voters and town officials, working with friendly sellers, and keeping the public informed about your efforts and what they are receiving for their tax dollars.