By Molly Lovell
Staff  Writer

The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust has purchased two new parcels of land that President Tom Bradbury hopes will provide recreation opportunities and enjoyment for years to come.
The two parcels, 67 and 49 acres, was purchased from Paul Gallinari for $174,000 and adds to the trusts’ “Town Forest” holdings, Bradbury said.
The area known as the Town Forest is located in the northwest corner of the town, near Guinea Road. In 2002 residents voted to give the land trust just under 1,000 acres of the forest.
“We asked the voters to turn it over to the trust for our stewardship with a promise to make it a more significant holding and also more accessible to the public,” Bradbury said.
To increase its holding, the trust also purchased about 320 acres from resident Jim Steele, for $960,000. Bradbury said the trust received about $400,000 for the purchase from the Lands For Maine Future program.
“It’s the largest piece of undeveloped land on the coast between Kittery and Brunswick,” Bradbury said, adding that in total, the land is about 3,000 acres between Kennebunkport, Biddeford and Arundel.
Bradbury said before much of the area was destroyed by a 1947 fire, residents used the forest for wood lots. It was abandoned, however, after the fire, because everything was charred.
Before the trust became involved, the land was inaccessible, in recent years volunteers have worked to develop trails on the land, which Bradbury said is rich with wildlife, wetlands and scenic views.
Bradbury said there are only a couple miles of trails, but said he wouldn’t be surprised to see about 14 miles or more once the trails become further developed and marked for safety.
“I think in future years, this part of the town is going to be looked upon as a real treasure. Our attention is generally focused to the coast, but as we grow and pressures on wildlife become greater and outdoor recreation becomes more a part of our lifestyle, it’s going to be something special,” Bradbury said.