Donibristle Reservation

When a grassroots community effort was initiated in 2016 to protect Donibristle, a picturesque and significant heritage landscape, Greenbelt partnered with its organizers and the landowners to create an opportunity for land conservation to flourish.

Abutting neighbor Martha Sanders realized what was at stake if the farm, with its mature oaks and wide, rambling trails, was lost forever to development. Sanders immediately took action and led a group of community organizers to come together to protect the property for public access.

Sanders and other concerned citizens reached out to Greenbelt to assist in creating a conservation solution that would satisfy the needs of both the landowners and the community.

Working in partnership with the Topsfield citizen group, Greenbelt secured an agreement with the landowners to acquire the 44 acres outright and a 2-acre conservation restriction for $900,000. To raise the funds needed, community organizers paved the way for a ballot initiative to vote on municipal spending for the project, while Greenbelt launched a community fundraising effort and applied for a state grant.

Ultimately, Greenbelt’s community campaign raised $400,000 for the project, and Topsfield citizens voted to approve spending up to $500,000 in municipal funds to protect the land. A few months later, the state LAND grant was awarded for $400,000, reducing the town’s commitment to $100,00.

The protection of the Donibristle Reservation in 2017 marked a meaningful milestone in Topsfield, as it represented the first time in the town’s history that residents voted to use municipal funds for land conservation.

Greenbelt now manages the property and the town holds a conservation restriction. Today, there is public access to this lovely forested landscape with a network of trails connecting to adjoining land for walking, trail running, biking, horseback riding, snow shoeing and cross-country skiing.