Arlington Land Trust Buys Elizabeth Island

On July 14, the Arlington Land Trust announced it will buy Elizabeth Island in the middle of Spy Pond, from its long-time owner, Elaine Sacco of Arlington by the end of this year.

According to the purchase and sales agreement, as of Dec. 31, 2010, the land will be owned by Arlington Land Trust, (ALT) and both Mass Audubon and the Arlington Conservation Commission. 

"All three organizations share the goal of maintaining the island's value as significant habitat for animals and plants and as the visual centerpiece of Spy Pond, while permitting continued low-impact public access for passive recreation," according to a release by the Trust dated yesterday.

"It's been in great hands," said ALT President Clarissa Rowe. "Mrs. Sacco and her family have stewarded the island for over 40 years now … The owner's first wish has been to see it protected, and this agreement makes that possible."

The State Department of Conservation and Recreation ranked Elizabeth Island 11 out of 250 for desirable metropolitan Boston urban parkland acquisition projects conducted by nine of the others were subsequently protected by state, local or private action.

The island "is a great example of the last-chance opportunities for land conservation that exist throughout Massachusetts," said Bob Wilber, Audubon's director of land protection in a statement. "Elizabeth Island is both a unique oasis of significant habitat and a defining element of the community's identity".  

The Arlington Boys & Girls Club will continue to use the island for its programs. According to its Executive Director Dan Brosnan, "Use of the island is an integral part of our program, and we hope to be able to use the area for children of future generations."

"Elizabeth Island's protection has long been a top goal of the town's Open Space and Recreation Plan, and helps preserve and protect Spy Pond's water quality and wildlife habitat by preventing development of this important natural resource," said Nathaniel Stevens, chair of the Arlington Conservation Commission.