Bill Howard, Norway, enjoys a recent hike to Lapham’s Ledge. A meeting is planned for July 11 at the Woodstock Town Office to discuss the purchase of the Buck’s Ledge parcel.

Meeting to update Buck’s Ledge purchase

WOODSTOCK – An informational meeting is planned for 7 p.m. Friday, July 11, at the Woodstock Town Office to give an update on the purchase of the Buck’s Ledge property for conservation and recreation. The Land for Maine’s Future decision will be announced Tuesday, July 8, and that information will be shared.

The Mahoosuc Land Trust has applied for money from the Land for Maine’s Future to purchase the 644 acres known as Buck’s Ledge, including Lapham Ledge and Moody Mountain.

The goal is to protect the scenic vista along Route 26 for residents and travelers. The parcel will be used for conservation, recreation, snowmobiling and other traditional uses. A local stewardship team will work to preserve the access and beauty, including hiking trails for all abilities.

The management plan will be developed to protect the ecologically sensitive areas of the property, allowing compatible traditional uses like hunting, hiking and snowmobiling on other parts of the property.

The primary access to the trails is a logging road on Route 26 in Bryant Pond, just north of the Woodstock Public Spring.

The Department of Conservation is a co-applicant in the application process. Conservation Commissioner Patrick McGowan recently hiked the ledges and said he was impressed with the property.

The Land for Maine’s Future board will meet Tuesday, July 8, and announce the amount of grants at that time.

The area was originally timber land owned by the paper company in Rumford. That land was sold in 2004 to a holding company, Bayroot, which has been working with the Mahoosuc Land Trust to sell the land for public use and conservation.

The Woodstock Conservation Commission and the Buck’s Ledge Committee are working together to preserve the land for the future, allowing the views of the ledges seen from Route 26 and North Pond to be protected from development.

Additional funding sources, to supplement the Land for Maine’s Future and Department of Conservation money, will be through private fundraising from individuals and foundations.