Opinion: Denial of conservation easement for Bug Light Park breaks our hearts

PORTLAND PRESS HERALD • March 23, 2023

On Feb. 7, the South Portland City Council ignored the thousands of volunteer and staff hours and the thousands of city dollars spent to develop the 2019 Open Space Plan, which protects valuable parks and open spaces in perpetuity. This six-year effort was marginalized by the council’s denial of a conservation easement on Bug Light Park. The city is not giving away the land to a third party; it has only relinquished its right to sell the property because it is convinced the property should never be sold. There is no safe alternative to a conservation easement as demonstrated by the actions of this council. ~ Barbara Dee, South Portland Conservation Commission