City in line to buy Toe Jam watershed

Published 1:00 pm Wednesday, October 25, 2006

The forested, 33-acre parcel at the south end, comes with a pond and earthen dam.

Though tucked behind a curtain of trees and years of obscurity, Nute’s Pond has long been bustling.

Bass patrol its waters. Ospreys and kingfishers drool overhead. An eagle nests in a nearby treetop. Fed by rainwater, the pond has never gone dry.

In fact, during the 1930s, neighbors built an earthen dam and spillway to contain its winter rush.

Now, as part of the rush to save the island’s green spaces, Nute’s Pond may soon be introduced to the public.

“This is a pristine piece of land,” said Open Space Commissioner Dwight Sutton, of the pond and its surrounding acreage. “It’s relatively large and it’s down in the southeast corner of the island where we’ve not yet been able to secure a high quantity of land.”

That could change if the City Council agrees with Sutton and his fellow commissioners.

The Open Space Commission on Monday recommended that the city purchase the 33-acre parcel, located on the west side of Toe Jam Hill Road.

At its core are 11 acres of wetland – including 3-acre Nute’s Pond – and 22-acres of second growth forest that could one day be used for recreation and environmental education.

The land lies in a sparsely developed area and is being sold at a discount by a longtime resident who lives nearby and wants to see it preserved.

If approved by council, the $600,000 sale could close by the end of the year.

Following that, it could be transferred to the park district, though stewardship of the parcel has yet to be determined.

Commissioner Dave Shorett said the land is mostly flat and “relatively undisturbed” and would need signage, new trails and a parking lot to improve public access. It could also enable a trail connection from Toe Jam Hill to Fort Ward State Park.

Shorett said the OSC – created by the city in 2001 to acquire and preserve island land – has been working on the deal for about a year.

“This is a property we’ve always wanted,” he said. “It’s quite beautiful and would make a great park that would allow people access to another pond.”

That access would be regulated, according to the OSC’s recommendation. Swimming, for example, would be prohibited.

The pond, home to a variety of wildlife, is similar in size to Battle Point Park pond but less affected by human intrusion. The current owner and a neighbor draw water from the pond for their gardens and would be allowed to continue doing so as part of the purchase agreement.

Prior to the sale, the city would have the land appraised and would conduct an engineering study to ensure the berms at the north and south end of the pond are structurally sound. Shorett said preliminary assessments indicate that the 70-year-old berms would only require minor repairs.

Also, though the land is discounted, the OSC has nearly exhausted its $8 million in funds, according to commissioner Lee Cross.

That means additional money from the city’s general fund would be required for the purchase, though the amount remains unclear and depends on a number of factors, including incoming grant money and the sale of other properties.

Still, with the sale agreement set to go before the council within the next few weeks, OSC members are confident the deal will happen.

“We’re convinced this is ready to go forward,” Sutton said, adding that the OSC is grateful for the opportunity to purchase such valuable land for just under $20,000 an acre. “The seller is very generous. He’s been a steward of the property for years and in his heart has strong feelings about the quality of the land. The community should recognize that.”