Land Bank's Chilmark purchase offers ocean and pond views

By Nelson Sigelman - July 13, 2006

The Martha's Vineyard Land Bank yesterday announced it has signed a contract to purchase three adjoining Chilmark lots totaling 21-acres. The property offers visitors views of the Atlantic Ocean, the westerly portion of Chilmark Pond and Squibnocket Point in the distance.

The purchase price is $7,025,000, and the sellers are siblings Jane Leavy, Jonathan Leavy and Elizabeth Leavy Stroman, according to a Land Bank press release.

The land was once part of what was known as Ocean View Farm and still shows evidence of the farm use.

The agreement with the Leavy family to purchase the property had been contingent on the Land Bank's ability to obtain trail easements to connect the property to several nearby conservation reservations.

"It is a situation that shows the amazing cooperation of the neighbors," said Clarissa Allen, Chilmark Land Bank advisory board member. "It would not have been possible without the generosity of a number of people that provided the necessary links to a number of conservation properties."

James Lengyel, Land Bank executive director, said trail easements were donated by Michael Fabrikant, Elizabeth Frank-Bailey, and the Abel's Hill Association, enabling the Land Bank to proceed to a closing with the Leavy family. As a result, the new property will connect directly to the Fulling Mill Brook Preserve, owned by the Land Bank and the town of Chilmark; and the Middle Road Sanctuary, owned by the Sheriff's Meadow Foundation (SMF).

The property will fit into a larger public path system encompassing Tea Lane Farm, Middle Line Woods Preserve and the Peaked Hill Reservation.

Preliminary management goals call for the expansion of the property's grasslands and for the creation of trails. The land is vacant except for a modest summerhouse that the land bank will utilize for staff housing.