Description and History of NSOLF Preserves

1. Lances -This parcel, located at the intersection of Routes 121 and 116, was the first to be donated to the Foundation in 1974, by Leo and Audrey Lances. With just over 2 acres, it has a hiking trail along the Titicus River and is an especially popular spot among fishermen. Steward: Sharon Churcher.

2. Graff - This 11 acre piece was donated in 1974 by Elizabeth Graff, former President of the North Salem Open Land Foundation. A swamp and spring fed pond on this parcel can be reached by walking on the horse trail to the left of the Golden's Bridge Hounds Kennels. Steward: Ciaran Murphy.

3. Hearst - Located along a branch of the Titicus River, this 6 acre parcel donated in 1976 by William and Augustine Hearst is another popular fishing spot. It contains a virgin hemlock forest located at the confluence of a brook and the Titicus River. This parcel is accessed through the Keeler Parcel (# 13). Stewards: Lois and Ken Lippmann.

4. Hearst-Mead - This 70 acre parcel, donated in 1977 by Eugenie Mead, is steeply sloped and fully wooded, and includes an old road bed and plenty of stone walls, a great walking spot for the energetic enthusiast. This parcel is accessed through the Halmi Parcel (#18). Stewards: The North Salem Explorers.

5. Marx - Over 100 acres was donated in 1976 by the Marx Family. This piece is situated almost entirely in the town of Lewisboro and features well defined trails which can be accessed from the AT&T right of way on Route 138 near Sullivan Road in Lewisboro.

6 & 7. Bulkley North and South - Situated on opposite sides of Finch Road, these parcels (over 30 acres and over 7 acres, respectively) were donated in 1979 by the Bulkley heirs. These parcels contain the west branch of the Mopus River and are primarily wetlands. Steward: Gail Brainum

8. Hawthorne - This 34 acre parcel was donated to the Foundation in 1979 as part of the development of the Hawthorne Lake area. It includes a large marsh designated as wetlands by New York State, which makes hiking and exploring this parcel difficult for humans, but provides a sanctuary for many species of wildlife and many unusual plants. Stewards: Michael Gitlitz, Rita Landman, Paul and Marybeth Viola.

9. Baxter South - This parcel was donated in 1979 by "The Baxter Road Group" whose members were Hans and Hanni Kraus, William and Austine Hearst, Daniel and Louise McKeon, Ronald Stanton, Eugene Colley, Regina Fox and Andrzej and Hope Von Kuhn. Known as the "Racetrack" by locals, this parcel consists of 114 acres on the south side of Baxter Road and is by far the most popular and well-used of all the parcels owned by the Foundation. In 1985 The "Baxter 1981 Associates", a group including the Hearsts, the McKeons, Joseph Pinto, Ronald Stanton and Sugar Foods Corp, donated an adjacent 15 acres, bringing the total acreage to 129. Baxter South includes a large pond surrounded by the remains of the Racetrack, and many trails, which are well traveled by people on foot and horseback. Stewards: Baxter Road Committee: Charlotte Harris, Chair, Members: Page Dickey, Brian Ivanhoe, Allan Jacobson.

10. Baxter North - Directly across from the Baxter South Parcel, this 37 acre piece was donated by the Baxter Road Group in 1980. It consists of a high meadow with a stand of trees at the northwest end and is an excellent spot for looking over the Baxter South parcel to the Titicus Reservoir. Stewards: Baxter Road Committee.

11. Bell-Blakeley - This 3 acre parcel located at the intersection of Mills and Bogtown Roads was donated by Eleanor Blakeley Bell and Bertha Bidda Blakeley in 1980 and has a wide trail along a New York State wetland. Stewards: Kate and John Arens.

12. Gentile - This 3 acre parcel across June Road from the Tompkins Memorial Track was donated in 1994 by Rosalina Gentile. The parcel, which consists largely of wetlands, was part of an area designated in the Master Plan of that era as desirable for open space acquisition. There is a popular horse and walking trail which can be accessed from June Road across from the entrance to the North Salem High School. Steward: Josh Leicht.

13. Keeler - This 38 acre parcel was purchased by the Foundation in 1994 thanks to the generous contribution of neighbors and members. Located on the west side of Keeler Lane, the parcel features a perimeter walking and riding trail as well as many splendid views of the Titicus River, a waterfall, the Keeler Pond and the Hudson Highlands. Stewards: Lois and Ken Lippmann.

14. Mills - These 10 acres were donated in 1996 by longtime board member Ruth Mills. The parcel is primarily wetland, though there is a small central rise where a few old hardwood trees are growing. A clear stream runs through the parcel which features a beautiful display of blooming marsh marigolds every spring. Steward: Bette Savitt.

15. Durand - In 1996, John Durand donated this 10 acre parcel behind the Ruth Keeler Memorial Library. It is the second most popular parcel held by the Foundation, as it features extensive walking trails through the woods and over streams. The entrance to the trail is directly behind the Library. Stewards: Deirdre and Crosby Coughlin.

16. Grossman - This 10 acre tract located in Lewisboro was donated by the Grossman family in 1998. The parcel features a well-defined walking trail which can be accessed from a right of way leading from Five Ponds Drive in Lewisboro. Steward: Caroll Rayner-Paulhac

17. Sporn - This 5 acre tract was donated in 1999 by Samuel and Ellen Sporn. The parcel is largely open and quite wet thanks to its situation at the banks of the Titicus Reservoir. Steward: Pat Stanley.

18. Halmi - This 53 acre parcel was donated in 2002 by Mr. Robert Halmi, Jr. and can be accessed from Grant Road in between its intersections of Route 116 and June Road. An extensive trail system provides terrific walking and riding opportunities. From the very highest point, there is a stone outcropping surrounded by wild blueberry bushes where one can see the Titicus Reservoir. This parcel has created a corridor of preserved space in the center of North Salem and provides access to the Hearst-Mead Parcel. Stewards: the North Salem Explorers.

19. Gaymark - This 58 acre parcel was purchased by NSOLF in 2005 with funds donated to the Foundation and the support of many neighbors, as well as the generosity of the Scheuer Family, former owners of the property. A trail system entered from Dingle Ridge Road, across the street from the Mills Parcel has been built to provide the public with an opportunity to enjoy this magnificent property. The parcel features four distinct habitats - woodland, wetland, swamp and field - all visible from the trails. Stewards: Steve Mulligan and Mike Chaves.

20. Bloomerside - This 63 acre parcel was purchased in October 2006 by a coalition that included the North Salem Open Land Foundation, the Town of North Salem and a generous neighbor, who worked together to raise the appropriate funds and secure a contract with the owner, the Bloomerside Cooperative. The public schools that are adjacent to site will be able to utilize the property, making it a wonderful resource for both residents and students. Steward: Peter Wiederhorn.

21. O'Donohue - Acquired in 2006, this 11-acre parcel located along Grant Road has extended the corridor of preserved space in the center of North Salem. Access is through the adjacent the Halmi parcel, (#18) which connects to the 70 acre Hearst-Mead parcel. Named the O'Donohue Preserve, in honor of the leadership contribution made by Kevin and Laura O'Donohue. Henry D'Auria and Robert Halmi, Sr. were also generous contributors. Stewards: the North Salem Explorers.

22. Stempler - Forty-four acres of forests, wetlands and fields along Bogtown Road were generously donated to NSOLF by long time North Salem resident Stephen Stempler in 2006. The Stempler property features forests, beautiful rock outcroppings, mature oak stands, and a stream, and is home to mink, otter, coyotes, and bobcats. The property borders the Hawthorne parcel. The property is open to the public for organized walks and by special arrangement. Steward: Jim Costello.

23. Bloomerside Extension - In 2007 NSOLF purchased 8 ½ acres along June and Bloomer Roads to bridge the gap between the Bloomerside Preserve and our long-held Gentile Preserve. This latest acquisition permanently protects this intersection, and gives school kids easy access to one of our largest preserves. Steward: Peter Wiederhorn

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Conservation Easements

CE1. Chaffee - 2 acres donated in 1977 by John Chaffee, former President of the Foundation and current Trustee, and Heide Lange Chaffee.
CE2. Keeler Pond - 7 acres donated in 1976 by Ruth Keeler, a longtime former member of the Board.
CE3. Gruss - Multiple parcels totaling 33 acres donated in 1993 by Martin Gruss.
CE4. Carmichael - 8 acres donated in 2001 by Hoagy and Charmaine Carmichael.
CE5. Grossman - 61 acres (notably designated a bog turtle habitat by the DEC) donated in 2001 by Tom and Pamela Grossman.
CE6. Levinson - 12 acres donated in 2004 by Richard and Patricia Levinson.
CE7. Purdys Ridge - 66 acres purchased by The Town of North Salem and NSOLF in 2005. A trail system provides public access from Old Schoolhouse Road. Steward: Brian Bartsch.
CE8. Keeler Homestead - 6.5 acres overlooking the historic Keeler Homestead on Keeler Lane and adjacent to Keeler Pond was acquired in 2006 with donations from generous neighbors.
CE9. Creekside - 12 acres adjacent to the Baxter South parcel donated by Brian and Lauren Ivanhoe in 2006.
CE10. Selvaggi/Shea - 3 acres on Grant Road donated by Frank Selvaggi and William Shea in 2008.
CE11. Franklin Fels Memorial Sanctuary -208 acres between Titicus Road and Hardscrabble Road donated to NSOLF and WLT in 2008 by the Bedford Audubon Society.
CE12. Foxy Meadow Farm - 20 acres on Baxter Road donated by Matthew Edmonds and Julie Anne Quay in 2008.

Please note that public access on conservation easements is permitted ONLY for the Purdys Ridge Preserve and the Franklin Fels Memorial Sanctuary. All others are privately owned lands.

 

 
The North Salem Open Land Foundation
PO Box 176
North Salem, NY 10560
914-669-5860
info@nsolf.org
 
© 2010 North Salem Open Land Foundation
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