Pike Lands brought back from brink of sale, developments

It was a squeaker because the pristine woodland, wetland, waterfront Pike Lands of North Lubec were scheduled to go on the market in May for commercial development. The Quoddy Regional Land Trust (QRLT) and the Regional Medical Center at Lubec (RMCL) partnered in a crucial year-long campaign chaired by Bob Ahrens that raised a whopping $816,000 from 291 public and private sources so that the public might continue to enjoy the property as a natural treasure. The land cost $695,000, and the remainder of funding will be used for stewardship and related ongoing services.

The two-parcel, 128-acre wildlife habitat arboretum on Cobscook and South bays was named for Dr. Radcliffe Pike, long renowned as professor of horticulture at the University of New Hampshire. He had sequestered the acreage to undertake innovative tree, shrub and plant experimentation. Deeded in 1980 by the Pike family to the university for education and research, the property was restricted from sale for 25 years. When it became available this year for development, a flood of queries to break up the land was instantly launched.

To celebrate the campaign victory, volunteers and guests assembled on September 19 at Roosevelt Campobello International Park, where Pike had served as first naturalist. Speaking for the family, Davis Pike said, "With so much support all over Downeast, the people have shown they care about this area and have contributed very significantly in preserving this unique open space for community benefit." At the celebration in the park's Hubbard Cottage, the property partners were represented by Alan Brooks, executive director of QRLT, and Robin Gautier, community relations director of HealthWays/RMCL. Referring to the medical center's having leased the Cobscook Bay section of the property since 1996 for a team-building youth and adult Downeast Adventures ropes course, the program's supervisor, Terri Woodruff, told of planning to update trails and expand public opportunity for hiking, fishing, hunting and other recreational activities.

Both Woodruff and Pike served on Bob Ahrens' achievement-bent campaign committee, together with Ruth Ahrens, Susan Baker, Karen Burke, Kate Jans, Gretchen Mead, Crystal Pace, Anne Rudolph and Ukey Santos. Many other volunteers lent a hand on subcommittees.

Individuals donated $157,299. The largest donor, the Land for Maine's Future, contributed $350,000. Foundations signed on for a total of $296,750. Both QRLT and RMCL gave donations, and other monies came from businesses and organizations. Maine Coast Heritage Trust not only contributed $25,000, but to compensate for funds, such as installment pledges, not yet received, will provide a short-term bridge loan so that closing can be held on schedule on September 30.

The partnership's memorandum of understanding calls for QRLT to acquire the property, transfer ownership of the 36-acre Cobscook Bay parcel to RMCL, and hold and manage the 92-acre South Bay section as public access open space.