Known for its beautiful scenic overlooks, beaches, and shellfish industry, the Town of Wellfleet, located on the Outer Cape, is very passionate about its role in preserving open space. Alan Platt, Wellfleet's representative to the Cape Cod Commission and a former chair of the Wellfleet Land Bank Committee, spoke about the committee's dedication and what its members like to call 'angels':
'Angels' is the name given to anonymous town residents who have donated funds to the committee for the purchase of open space. These people, along with the town and state, have made it possible to match every dollar of Wellfleet's Land Bank monies by $1.50. "Without them we would not have half of what we do; they are truly angels," Platt said.
The town purchased the Geiger property, located on Cape Cod Bay, in 1999 for $650,000. "A gift!" Mr. Platt exclaimed. The owner of the property, a builder, wanted the property to remain open space and sold it to the town for a reasonable sum. The 9.2-acre lot abuts Massachusetts Audubon Society's Wellfleet Bay Sanctuary and other town-owned properties. This attribute increased the importance of the property from the town's perspective. The town is in the midst of putting together a management plan for the property along with a booklet that will highlight walking trails and some of the property's scenic views.
When asked for words of wisdom, Mr. Platt said: "Develop good relations with 'angels' and other agencies. You can't do it by yourself."
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