New trails are open to the public in Newtown on a parcel of recently preserved land. The Board of Selectmen last month approved an easement for the Cherry Grove farm. The Newtown Forest Association received a number of private donations. The town provided $100,000 toward the easement, because saving the land as open space is consistent with the plan of conservation for Newtown.
The Newtown Forest Association contributed half a million dollars for 16.3 acres. The town now has a protective easement over little more than 29 acres.
Newtown will have no future financial obligation for maintenance or management of the property.
Walking trails, some created by people and deer already making paths on the property, are now joined by those cleared by Developer Greg Carnrick, who sold the property to the NFA. He also built footbridges across streams and a gravel parking lot for cars and horse trailers off Palestine Road.
