State Pays $4M for Bethel Farm Property

BETHEL, CT-The State of Connecticut has paid $4 million for 134 acres of the Bogus Farm Property here that lies near the Collis B. Huntington State Park. Connecticut Gov. M. Jodi Rell says the acquisition was to preserve the property that is located in Bethel and Redding as open space.

“Bogus Farm is an impressive and important purchase for us.” Gov. Rell says. “This property was one of the largest undeveloped areas in Northern Fairfield County held in private ownership. It contains outstanding natural resources and a developed trail system. The property also connects to Collis B. Huntington State Park and will expand the outdoor recreational opportunities available to people who visit that park.”

The State of Connecticut purchased the 134 acres from its owner, Bobbie Schrijver, for $4 million. Funding for the purchase came from the Recreation and Natural Heritage Trust, which is managed by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and funded through bonding authorized by the State Bond Commission.

The purchase of the Bethel property is the second major open space deal by the state this year. In January, the state revealed the acquisition of the 308-acre Francis M. Deluca Property, which is located in the towns of Cornwall and Canaan.

The state’s overall goal is to preserve 21% of Connecticut’s land–or 673,210 acres–as open space by the year 2023. Currently more than 72% of the goal has been achieved through the direct purchase of open space by the state–251,080 acres–and through the state’s support of local property acquisitions–352,634 acres.