Forever wild area could feature trails

Public lands owned by the Town of Sweden will soon increase by 120 acres of undeveloped property. Iroquois Rock Products, located on Sweden Walker Road in the southeast quadrant of the town, is donating one 66-acre parcel and one 54-acre parcel both on the south side of Swamp Road to Sweden.

Before the deal is finalized, the town will conduct an environmental survey and restrictions will be written into the deeds.

The restrictions will specify a "forever wild" designation, excluding any type of development other than passive recreation. "We thought it would make a good place for nature trails, hiking trails, a place that Scouts might want to use," said Richard Williams of Iroquois Rock.

Williams had discussions with the town about the donation a few years ago. But at that time, the town was looking for something a little closer to the population base that could be turned into playing fields and other active recreation uses. Those plans are unfolding through the development of the 156-acre Redman Road Park that Sweden acquired for one dollar from the state. The Swamp Road lands will be left in a more natural condition.

"This will give us almost 300 acres of land, at a cost of a dollar," said Town Supervisor Nat Lester, speaking of the separate land deals. "Other communities are having to spend a great deal of money to preserve open spaces and provide park lands."

Williams said the two parcels include some wetlands, woodlands and open fields. Iroquois Rock has no use for the lands which serve as a "buffer" between the quarry lands and other properties. The one thing Williams does not want to happen to the land is development.

"The only reason for us to keep those properties," Williams said, "is to put space between us and our nearest neighbors. We explored land trust programs, but then decided that it should be in the hands of the town."

Thirty to 40 years from now when the quarry has been fully mined, Williams said, the reclamation plan includes the development of a 327-acre lake. Passive recreation on the town lands will fit nicely with future use of the quarry lands, he said.