Nature’s ability to soothe the souls of humans has never been more needed than now. That point was sharpened when Alan Harris, president of the Sippican Lands Trust, spoke during the ceremonial ribbon-cutting event at its newest trail – the Osprey Marsh Universally Accessible Boardwalk on July 17. Harris spoke to a small group of donors and benefactors who had funded the construction of the 1,800-foot-long boardwalk from Point Road to the shores of Planting Island Cove. “At a time when we really need it, people who may have to use wheels, or feet, can access nature,” he said with a smile in his voice.
The event was challenged by much needed heavy rains, but was simultaneously streamed via Zoom remote access for those unable to attend. The limitation on gatherings was also a factor in deciding to open the event up to a wider audience via internet connection. There were only a couple of technical difficulties to overcome, but the recorded event may be viewed on YouTube and on ORCTV.
SLT Executive Director Jim Bride thanked supporters, saying, “The osprey marsh is an important respite and a safe way for all to enjoy nature.” He said that groundbreaking for the trail had taken place a year ago. He thanked contractor Stan Bradford, landscape designer Susannah Davis, and Sherman Briggs for his expertise and use of heavy construction equipment. Also on his list of those who helped the effort were the Marion Board of Selectmen, Conservation Commission, and the Community Preservation Committee. The latter of those boards supported a grant in the sum of $40,000 for the future construction of a pavilion at the trailhead, a sum approved by the voters at Town Meeting.
Yet it was the generous donation of 22-acres of undisturbed woodlands by the Howland family that made the project a reality. On hand to cut the ribbon was Mary Howland-Smoyer who, along with her siblings, made the decision to gift the land to SLT. Smoyer’s cousin, Jonathan Howland, explained during a follow-up, “It was my cousin Mary and her siblings who donated the land.” He went on saying, “You don’t know how much pleasure it brings us to have this especially now.”
Howland said that he has been a Sippican Lands Trust member for years and that as far back as 2014 the concept of having an accessible trail was being discussed. “It’s an important asset for the community and shows the evolution of the Lands Trust,” he said. “This project made the marshlands accessible to a broader segment of the population.”
In a follow-up with Bride, he said that the SLT had borrowed $140,000 from their own endowment, money that Howland explained was to be paid back over five years. The group raised monies through private donations, and are still actively seeking funds to offset the construction costs which came in at $380,000. Bride also said that the SLT has to plan for long-term maintenance expenses of the boardwalk. To help with the financing he said that people can “buy a board” and have a plaque placed along the toe-rail of the wooden structure.
Howland also told The Wanderer, “The Japanese have a term known as ‘forest washing.’ It is the cleansing of one’s spirit when embraced by nature. The Japanese term is shinein-yoka or forest bathing, the refreshment one receives by the sights, sounds, and smells of being outdoors in nature. Howland said of the boardwalk, “It’s gratifying to see people with mobility issues enjoying the path; it’s long enough to be a pleasurable experience.”
Harry Norweb, a supporter of the boardwalk who was also on-hand for the ribbon cutting, shared his thoughts. “It’s amazing the length and so well-built, you walk along and then suddenly you are looking at Planting Island Cove! … It was an amazing effort to get materials to the site; they worked closely with the Conservation Commission. Some materials were preassembled in Stan Bradford’s shop and then schlepped over to the trail,” he explained.
Norweb and his wife Pam promoted the concept to others and are now very happy to have the boardwalk as one of their neighbors. “A walk down the trail is wonderful in all seasons,” he said.
Before the restrictions and guidelines mandated by the state due to COVID-19, recreational properties were open just about any time. Now with distancing understood as necessary, the narrow boardwalk doesn’t easily lend itself to distancing. Bride said that people must now have an appointment to gain access to the boardwalk trail so that distancing can be maintained. Harris said that as many as 300 reservations had been requested since the trail was completed.
During his comments at the ribbon-cutting, Bride thanked the SLT Board of Directors that include Harris, Davis, Cathy Stone, Dot Brown, Randy Parker, as well as committee members Lauren Boucher, Chris Bryant, John Cederholm, Diane Cook, Mimi Coolidge, Sharon Matzek, Dr. David McGinnis, and Greg Skomal. The Osprey Marsh Committee consisted of Harris, Davis, Parker, Diane Cook, and Marian Howland.
Donors who supported the project include Howland-Smoyer, Jack and Nancy Braitmayer, David and Victoria Croll, Harry and Pam Norweb, Wick and Sloan Simmons, Sandria Parson, Mauk Hudig, Peter and Laurie Grauer, and Elizabeth Morse. Foundations also supporting the construction are Abington Bank, Arcadia Charitable Trust, The Bafflin Foundation, Fields Pond Foundation, and the Maurice and Anne Makepeace Family Foundation.
To make a reservation for the Osprey Marsh Universally Accessible Boardwalk contact the Lands Trust office at 508-748-3080 or online at sippicanlandstrust.org.
By Marilou Newell
