The Reading Open Land Trust, Inc. (ROLT) was founded in 1979 by a group of private citizens motivated by the conviction that conservation of our natural resources must be a concern for all citizens and not solely dependent on government action and tax revenues.
ROLTs purpose is to preserve land in its natural state as wetlands, open lands and lands of historical significance. Wetlands serve to prevent floods, recharge ground water aquifers, and help maintain the quality of our water supply. As the late Dr. Norton H. Nickerson expressed in the Lincoln Filene publication, Fresh Water Wetlands: Their Nature and Importance to Man, wetlands are “nature’s vacuum cleaners of the human drinking water supply.” ROLT also furthers education in the fields of ecology, conservation, and land-use planning while encouraging passive recreation on its lands.
“Knowledge and appreciation of nature and the functions of natural systems are of vital importance to the future of our community for the generations to come. Programs that foster such an understanding for the natural world are important throughout our educational systems. but especially in urban and suburban areas where insulation from the outdoors is increasingly possible and has become a serious educational deficiency.”
READING CONSERVATION PLAN
About ROLT
ROLT is an independent, private nonprofit entity that is not part of local town government, although its goals are often in line with the Reading Conservation Commission. ROLT can step in to accept a land donation or complete a purchase should public funds be unavailable or if an owner wishes to make a speedy donation even when Town Meeting is months away. Land donors are assured that their gifts will be used in strict accordance with their wishes.
ROLT is a publicly-supported, non-profit, 501 (c)(3) charitable corporation, dependent on the support of citizens concerned with the preservation of our natural resources.
Officers & Directors
Robert P. Connor, President
Fred McGrane, Treasurer
Alison Ullman, Clerk
Joseph E. Cloonan, Director
Ralph Colorusso, Director
Beth Parsons, Director
Lori Shaffer, Director
“The natural environment plays an important role in defining the character and identity of Reading. Ironically, the very qualities that attract people to Reading are endangered by the development fostered by this demand. This leads to overcrowding and reduction in upland open space, traffic congestion, air and noise pollution, groundwater degradation and reduction in quantity and quality of drinking water, solid and toxic waste generation, despoliation of wetlands and groundwater through fertilizer, herbicide, pesticide, salt, oil and other hazardous runoff. Therefore, the Town should (among other things) increase the extent of open space lands available for public use (and) acquire additional open space or aquifer protection.”
READING OPEN SPACE & RECREATION PLAN
ROLT Properties
Since its founding in 1979, ROLT has acquired more than 80 acres of open land.
Grove Street – A large parcel off Grove Street donated by William and Rosemary Lewis.
Fairbanks Marsh – Four parcels fronting on the Ipswich River in Bare Meadow are dedicated as Fairbanks Marsh. Two of the parcels were donated by the Fairbanks heirs, one was donated by Hazel Malcolm, and the fourth was purchased by the Trust.
Goodale Marsh – A parcel fronting on Haverhill Street with access to North Cedar Swamp is dedicated as Goodale Marsh in appreciation of a gift of money from the late Esther Goodale to acquire it.
Fienemann Ice Pond – A parcel fronting on North Main Street on the site of Reading’s original ice pond, an anonymous gift, was dedicated as the Fienemann Ice Pond in memory of Henry Fienemann, a founder and first president of the Trust.
Evergreen Road – A parcel off Evergreen Road, highly regarded as a bird sanctuary, was donated in memory of Cyril Currie.
Boyd – A large parcel off West Street was donated by Gordon and Philip Boyd.
Randall Road – Two small parcels on Randall Road were an unrestricted gift from Arthur Thompson.
Swamp Island – Two parcels are known as Swamp Island on the Reading-Wakefield line. The larger parcel was donated by American Patriot Group, Inc.
Sledge Wood – A parcel of land in Sledge Woods, a gift from Benjamin Nichols, is known as the Nichols Wood Lot.
Collins Avenue – One small parcel on Collins Avenue donated by Svea Nardo.
Bear Hill – Our first property, a small parcel on Bear Hill donated by Patricia Farmer and Mary Dow.
Donate
You can help by donating cash or real estate. Contributions to ROLT are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. There may be tax advantages for the donation of land or securities that have appreciated in value. Please discuss this aspect of your gift with your accountant or tax advisor.
Please send donations or requests for information to:
Reading Open Land Trust, Inc.
c/o Alison Ullman, Clerk
P. O. Box 15
Reading, MA 01867
ROLTonline@gmail.com