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Greenbelt is working with the Town of Ipswich to protect Kamon Farm, a 93-acre portion of Turkey Hill, which is the last remaining undeveloped, unprotected hilltop in Ipswich.
Along both sides of Pineswamp Road, Kamon Farm features open hayfields, forest and wetlands that connect existing protected land in the Ipswich and Parker River watersheds. More than half of the property protects and filters water flowing into the Bull Brook Reservoir and the Mile Lane Wells. Portions of this land have been used for hay; in the future, agricultural uses compatible with drinking water supply goals will continue.
Once protected, public access to hiking trails that connect with other conserved land, including the Town's Turkey Hill Conservation Area, will be enhanced and maintained. There is an opportunity to add a small parking area on Pineswamp Road to enhance public access to the land and its trails. The property would be open to the public dawn to dusk daily, allowing the public to enjoy the scenic beauty of the land.
Greenbelt will own and manage the parcel as part of our region-wide reservation system, available to the public for passive recreation, and portions of the open fields will be managed for agricultural purposes consistent with drinking water protection goals.
There is potential for a small gravel parking area, and the trail system will be expanded and improved with interpretive and directional signage.
The Town of Ipswich will hold a Conservation Restriction on the land, adding a further level of protection.
Potential Funding Sources:
*If the full $400,000 requested from the LAND grant program is awarded, the town's amount may be reduced to as low as $350,000.
**Greenbelt has raised $50,000 to date.
