Residents driving along Berkshire Road (Route 34) this spring may have recently seen construction begin for the new Holly Estates subdivision, a roughly 72-acre property that will have 16 homes and a cul-de-sac road. In compliance with the Town of Newtown zoning rules requiring a portion of the land be set aside as open space, 27 acres connected to the development have been accepted by the Newtown Forest Association, Inc (NFA).

According to a press release from the NFA on May 7, “NFA reached out [to] the developer and we expressed interest in being the recipient of this open space. After further inspection of the property, and our review of the site plans, we confirmed that it would make a great addition to the NFA’s holdings. The NFA offered to be the recipient of the open space. The open space was conveyed to the NFA in March 2021.”

Guy Peterson, NFA president and treasurer, told The Newtown Bee that the most compelling part of the property was “the preserve’s size and the characteristics, which include a watercourse, wetlands, and woodlands.”

Of the 27 acres of land, at least half is estimated to be wetlands — a term used to define land flooded by water that effects the underlying soil type and topography.

A portion of the land was dredged roughly 15 years ago after the town received calls about distressed and dying animals, as large as deer, stuck in the sludge from the wetlands on the property.

“We do not encourage activities within the wetlands and the NFA wishes those to remain primarily undisturbed to protect the watercourse and serve as the natural filtration for storm water runoff,” Peterson said.

While there are not specific signs in place to indicate where the wetlands are, Peterson notes that “they generally encompass the area on either side of the stream that traverses the preserve.”

He says people should avoid saturated areas while walking in the preserve.

“People visiting are on the honor system and asked to leave no trace. Hopefully, visitors will avoid these areas that will put them in situations that permanently damage the property — and put them in mud,” Peterson said.

The NFA has posted signage of the open space’s boundaries that should be adhered to, as construction and tree removal is still taking place neighboring the preserve.

The acquired land has about 50 feet of road frontage on Berkshire Road, but the NFA says the primary access will be the 600 feet of road frontage on Paugussett Road.

“The new 27-acre NFA preserve extends from Paugussett Road, with six new homes to one side and six existing homes on Mountain Laurel Lane. Nestled down some relatively steep slopes and in between these home tracts is the NFA new preserve, and it is split down the middle by a small creek and wetlands. There is also a small pond immediately adjacent to Paugussett Road,” the press release details.

The NFA currently does not have plans for the preserve but will evaluate adding trails to it in the future.

“The topography and soil conditions will be considered when, and if, we create trails,” Peterson said. “It is not uncommon for the NFA to create bog bridges in areas where a trail is needed that is unusually wet throughout the year.”

The press release noted that “For the time being, the NFA will inspect the property, monitor the neighboring development, and protect the new preserve from encroachment and damage. Despite no formal trails for the time being, visitors are welcome to explore the property from sunrise to sunset. Dogs are also welcome on leashes, but we ask that you take your dog’s droppings with you as they are not good for the environment and frankly, no one else wants to step in it.”

Dogs should also be leashed to protect the diverse wildlife in the area, such as deer, hawks, coyotes, and bobcats.

Hunting, trapping, and the use of motorized vehicles of any kind is prohibited on NFA open space.

As of now there is no designated parking area for those looking to access the new preserve.

When asked where people can safely park and enter the property, as there have been car accidents related to people speeding down the hill on Paugussett Road that would make parking there potentially hazardous, Peterson said, “If and when trails are created, we may identify an area at the end of the new cul-de-sac to access the preserve. For now, visitors will have to identify and locate safe parking on their own.”

Peterson also later stated, “Since there are no trails on the property at this time, the NFA will not promote this preserve for active passive recreational use and merely as an open space wildlife sanctuary.”

While most of NFA’s open space has been donated to them in the past, more recently the nonprofit has been fundraising to purchase properties. The organization depends on donations to fund open space acquisitions, partner with the Town of Newtown on acquisitions, and maintain the open space for future generations.

NFA’s press release states, “Preserving open space is a win for everyone and can really add value to the immediate neighborhood as well as the community as a whole. Open space is not only important for ecological diversity but also for the health and wellbeing of each and every one of us. Immersing oneself in natural open spaces is a great way to relieve stress, get exercise and fresh air, as well as take in the natural wonders of the world and local wildlife.”

People can donate to the NFA’s Land Acquisition Fund throughout the year. For more information, call NFA at 203-270-3650 and visit newtownforestassociation.org.

Alissa Silber can be contacted at alissa@thebee.com.