Westport Land Trust opens Westport Woods to residents, invites feedback at July 29 public meeting

Ross Moran, executive director of the Westport Land Conservation Trust, said the trust purchased the former Saint Vincent de Paul camp in 2018 and transformed the site into Westport Woods, a park-like landscape with miles of trails open to town residents "sunrise to sunset at no cost."

The program host, Lisa, who serves on the town's Open Space Commission and represents the Commission on Disabilities, conducted the interview as part of "What's Buzzing in Westport." She said the segment was intended to highlight local boards and volunteers who help maintain and promote open space in town.

Moran described Westport Woods as a place that preserves forest, freshwater streams and trails for recreation and education. "Anybody here in town can come visit sunrise to sunset at no cost and enjoy the pathways that are, mostly accessible for somebody who might have, you know, some challenge," he said, adding that the trust runs public programs for families and adults to learn about local natural resources.

Moran said the Land Trust works with town bodies including the conservation commission, the planning board, the recreation department and the community preservation committee to set priorities. He described a collaborative, 10-year open-space planning effort that aims to both preserve resources and increase public access.

The trust is asking residents to review a draft of that plan at a public meeting on July 29 at the town annex from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Moran said the meeting will be informal and family-friendly: "We'll have some ice cream ... We'll have some events, for, you know, our little games to play for families," and staff and volunteers will be on hand to collect feedback.

Lisa emphasized efforts to make town resources welcoming to people with disabilities and older residents, noting that recreation staff — including Dana Stewart — work to make activities more accessible. "It's so important that everyone is welcome just to experience, the meeting," she said, encouraging residents to attend and to ask questions.

The Land Trust bought the property in 2018 and now offers both day-to-day access to trails and occasional public programs. Residents who cannot attend the July 29 meeting were directed by Moran to provide feedback through the town's conservation commission, the Commission on Disabilities, the planning board or the select board.

The interview closed with Lisa thanking Moran and volunteers across town for their work maintaining open space. The town's next step is the July 29 draft-plan review, where officials and trustees will collect resident feedback to inform the 10-year plan.