Current Projects:
Helping to preserve Nature and History in Monson
YOU CAN DONATE TO THIS PROJECT NOW USING THE NETWORK FOR GOOD
Opacum Land Trust is thrilled to share with you news of our partnership with the Monson Conservation Commission. We are working to preserve approximately 165 acres known as the Flynt Quarry Land. This new land acquisition project, which is the site of the former Flynt Quarry, will protect a key parcel in the Town of Monson that includes trails, habitat and history.
Until now most of our acquisition work has been in the eastern portion of our 13-town region. We see this as an opportunity to raise awareness of Opacum’s mission of land protection and stewardship within the community of Monson. Opacum is a valuable and important partner to help the Town of Monson, as well as people from all of our communities, to succeed in protecting land.
Preservation of the Flynt Quarry Land will secure an area designated as important and significant in the Monson Open Space and Recreation Plan. Despite being recognized in the plan, the land was not within reach for conservation. Several proposals for development of the property have been introduced over the last 3 to 4 years, including one that called for a 100 to125 unit subdivision. Due to the poor housing market, the opportunity to purchase the Flynt Quarry Land arose. The Town of Monson Conservation Commission is seeking money from LAND (Local Access for Natural Diversity) grants funded by the state, the Monson Community Preservation Committee, and Opacum Land Trust to fund a total purchase price of $380,000.00. Opacum will hold a conservation restriction on the property to further protect the land from development.
The Flynt Quarry Land includes a scenic view point for the downtown area, including the historic First Church of Monson. It is the beginning of a long ridgeline that runs parallel to Main Street.
The old Flynt Quarry is an important piece of the historic landscape of Monson. This granite quarry was run in the late 1800 by Rufus Flynt. The quarry provided granite for not only some of the town’s unique historic structures including Memorial Hall, the United Universalist Church (both designated historic structures), and the Monson Free Library, but also several buildings in New England, Washington D.C. and beyond. The Flynt Quarry attracted Italian, Irish, and Polish immigrants who were seeking employment, adding to the community’s ethnic and cultural history and diversity.
This property already contains numerous walking trails and part of the High School cross country course. As private property its future would be uncertain. As public lands these trails will be maintained, improved and extended. The established trails link all three of Monson’s public schools to the quarry railroad system and the old trolley line, which ran through what is now Quaboag Country Club, and to town property on Bunyan Road. Monson’s Open Space and Recreation Plan indicates this parcel is part of a greenway trail network with options to connect with the Monson Developmental Center lands that have recently been designated as protected open space.
The Bunyan Road well is the primary source of public drinking water, and Monson’s water was voted the “Best Water in Massachusetts” last year. Although it supplies only a portion of the town, protection of this vital source is crucial to many people and the preservation of the Flynt Quarry Lands will serve that purpose. Additionally, the Flynt Quarry Lands are adjacent to and buffer the former landfill. Preserving this land will prevent any accidental disturbance to the abutting landfill that could be caused by development.
Opacum Land Trust’s goal in this partnership is to raise $68,300.00, which includes money that will be used to improve and maintain the trails. Donations for the Flynt Quarry Land project can be sent to Opacum Land Trust, P.O. Box 233, Sturbridge, MA 01566. Please earmark your contribution for the Flynt Quarry Land and remember donations to Opacum are tax deductible.
YOU CAN DONATE TO THE FLYNT QUARRY FUND NOW USING THE NETWORK FOR GOOD
Interested in knowing or doing more???
Opacum will hold an event at the Flynt Quarry Land in late November We will hold this event on Saturday, November 28th. Rain date will be Sunday November 29th. Our plans are to host a “fun run” on the existing trails to help promote awareness of the recreational opportunities at this site. Walking tours of the former Quarry and the remnants of the work that took place there will be conducted. Contact Torie Egan for more information on the “fun run” or if you are interested in helping us to improve the course trails.
Fun Facts:
$68,300.00 is a lot of money. The whole project (including trail reconstruction and continued stewardship) is $395,000.00 – we need to raise only 17.5% of the total costs.
A matching amount will come from Community Preservation Conservation account. The Monson Conservation Commission has applied for a LAND (Local Acquisition for Natural Diversity) grant for $258,400.00 from the state.
If we laid 68,300 dollar bills end to end, it would cover 6.1 miles. Less than the kids run in two cross country meets.
Right now, the cross country trails are on private land.
The owner could put up “No Trespassing” signs
The owner could develop the land and put houses, roads, and driveways on our trail.
The owner could strip all the trees off the land and make gravel out of the mountain
OR….
We can work together to raise the money and purchase the land for the town and protect the cross country trails for the High School and the town forever…..
DONATE TO THIS PROJECT NOW USING THE NETWORK FOR GOOD
Other ongoing projects: