Land Trust Shutters Watch Rock Preserve on Weekends to Limit Vandalism, Littering

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OLD LYME — Due to an excess of littering and vandalism, the Old Lyme Land Trust will close the Watch Rock Preserve each weekend from now until Labor Day.

“We are so sad and frustrated to have to close this preserve, especially this year during the pandemic,” said Ann Gallaher, Chief Steward of the Old Lyme Land Trust. “But the large amount of trash, recurrent vandalism and campfires are too much for an all-volunteer organization to handle.”

The parking lot gate will be shut from 7:30 p.m. on Fridays until 8 a.m. on Mondays.

According to the Land Trust Board of Trustees, the success of the new measures will be monitored and evaluated for success throughout the summer to determine if additional steps are needed to prevent damage to the conservation land.

“To close it for the summer is very disappointing, but we do plan to open it back up in the fall,” Gallaher said.

Credit: Old Lyme Land Trust