A New Approach: Campaign for Lyme Pinnacle Succeeds
On Highbridge Road in Lyme, a small parking area was plowed out several weeks ago. Along a singletrack trail through the woods, posted signs came down. “This really is the start of something special,” says Upper Valley Land Trust (UVLT) president, Jeanie McIntyre. “About 100 Lyme families who enjoy the trails and views from Lyme’s Pinnacle have restored access to the land and created a permanent fund for stewardship.”
Over 240 acres and 4.5 miles of trails have been conserved.
The campaign to establish the Lyme Pinnacle Stewardship Fund has been a new approach for UVLT, explained McIntyre. “It’s more typical for conservancies to raise money to buy land or protective conservation easements,” she says. “Very often there’s an urgency to secure the land. Then funds to actively manage trails and steward the recreational features are solicited from trail users later.” But she says, land conservancies have found it challenging to raise adequate funds for trail stewardship after the fact. “In this case, full funding of the plan for public access was the essential element from the start. Trail users came forward as donors to make it happen. We were able to raise more than $150,000 for the permanent fund.”
Pinnacle isn’t the tallest hill in Lyme, but it might be the most beloved. Located in the center of the town, it can be seen from many locations, and it boasts 360 degree views from the open, flat ledges at the summit. For most of the last century, Pinnacle was accessible via a network of old roads and trails. The landowners allowed people to pass through the fields and woods to the summit. But several years ago, “Posted” and “No Trespassing” signs prevented access on some popular trails. After the death of longtime landowner Hellen Darion last spring, the future of the trails and views at Pinnacle was uncertain.
UVLT was actively engaged in finding new owners for the Darion land and an adjoining property that had been owned by Carol Grumman. A local couple bought both parcels. They agreed to conserve the land and allow the Upper Valley Land Trust to manage the trails, fields and views, if UVLT established a dedicated, permanent fund for mowing, trail and view maintenance, and creation of a parking area.
The fundraising announcement was sent by mail to all Lyme postal addresses just after Thanksgiving said McIntyre. “In just four weeks, we met the goal, and were able to sign and record the conservation easement just before Christmas.” Early in the new year, UVLT will be marking boundaries and installing trail signs.
UVLT is hosting a celebratory gathering for donors and friends on Saturday, December 29th. Pinnacle fans are invited to meet at the summit at 1:30 pm to share stories, thank one another and enjoy hot chocolate. The event is rain or shine.