Jim Finnerty, Ice Glen Road, Stockbridge, presented his plan to offer 40 acres of the 75 he owns to the Town to become conserved park land. His price is $600,000. The 40 acres that Jim is offering is extraordinary. Truly a picture is worth a thousand words. Please go to www.preservationinc.org and click on the video in the upper left corner.

The 40-acre parcel offers special features: meadowland with mountain views, walking trails, historic sites such as the location of the Town’s water supply prior to Lake Averic, and Burgoyne’s Pass.

In 1877, General John Burgoyne’s task was to match south from Canada and in successive battles defeat and cut off New England from General Washington’s troops. He began brilliantly but was thankfully defeated. As a prisoner, he was escorted from Albany to Boston over Burgoyne Pass in Stockbridge. The trail is identified by a plaque laid by the Daughters of the American Republic (DAR) in 1939. Across the road, there is a small space owned by the Town where a few cars could park. Finally, the trails on this property connect to land preserved by the Commonwealth and by the Town.

Jim based his price and his plan on our efforts to purchase 35 acres on Interlaken Crossroad. The volunteer group failed to secure that land, nevertheless, it was a model for what a private group could do.

Editor’s note: The effort to purchase the 35-acre parcel on Interlaken Cross Road failed, but in failing, we learned a lot. We have formed a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Berkshire Preservation Inc (BPI) so all contributions will be tax deductible. We will continue to raise money to help our Town and nonprofits buy land and preserve our unique nature and culture. Join us and help BPI help others.