For the City Times

STEVENS POINT – The North Central Conservancy Trust will purchase a 5.13-acre parcel of land adjoining Bukolt Park in the city of Stevens Point which was listed for sale and subdivision. The sale also includes a two-acre island just off of the park in the middle of the Wisconsin River.

The listing generated a lot of interest from people looking to build a new home. NCCT moved quickly to secure an offer to purchase the property.  The offer was made contingent on raising funds to complete the transaction.

On Oct. 28, the city approved a grant to NCCT that will cover the full cost of acquisition. The closing on this property is anticipated in mid-December.

NCCT staff and volunteers are collaborating with the city, the Green Circle Trail, and other community stakeholders on how best to preserve and manage this property. Not only does this project allow NCCT to protect land, it also affords our organization an opportunity to connect with people on a highly visible and accessible property.

The city has also expressed excitement about the partnership to acquire this parcel of land.

Mayor Mike Wiza said, “We are very happy that this property will be protected from development and remain available for public use. NCCT has a wonderful history of conservation, and we are pleased to partner with them on this important project wherever we can.”

Dan Kremer, director of parks, recreation, and forestry for Stevens Point, has been working closely with NCCT to make this opportunity a reality.

“We were fortunate to find a partner who valued the preservation of this property as much as the City and look forward to working with them to make this a great partnership for our community,” he said. “We owe their organization a great deal of thanks for their willingness to help pull this acquisition off.”

The property will become an extension of Bukolt Park. NCCT is partnering with the Green Circle Trail to potentially add a trail through this property that would connect with those existing around Bukolt Park. NCCT will eventually put up signage about the organization and their land conservation mission and will develop a conservation easement for the property so that it will be protected in perpetuity. The land will always be preserved as a public green space.

NCCT serves an eight-county region that includes Adams, Taylor, Lincoln, Clark, Marathon, Portage, Wood, and Waushara counties. For 25 years, the organization has been working to conserve the natural heritage of Wisconsin through the protection of land.