Editorials

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-ethelwalker.artnov21,0,7542892.story Historic Vote On Walker Land November 21 2006In years to come, the vote by Simsbury residents to purchase the development rights to more than 400 acres of Ethel Walker School woodland for $13.9 million should be remembered as a turning point in the town's growth and in the movement to preserve open space.The land not only sits on top of an aquifer that supplies drinking water to 70 percent of the town's residents, it is an important wildlife habitat and migration route, displays vernal pools and borders other protected forests. Recognizing how critical the purchase is to sustaining…

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-ethelwalker.artaug30,0,1972310.story?coll=hc-headlines-editorials Ethel Walker Land Deal A Must August 30 2006 A good example of the importance of open space preservation in Connecticut is the controversy over 424 acres of forest behind the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury. School officials have proposed to build a 122-house subdivision on the property to replenish Ethel Walker's endowment. For starters, the land sits on top of an aquifer that supplies drinking water to 70 percent of the town's residents. It is a significant wildlife habitat and migration route, displays vernal pools and is contiguous to other protected forests. It is baffling, therefore, that…

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-walkerwoods.artjun23,0,7266967.story Good Deal On Walker Woods June 23 2006 Many people in Simsbury moved to the town to enjoy its rustic charm. So many, in fact, that keeping the rural character has become a challenge. But residents now have a rare opportunity to preserve a large piece of sylvan splendor. Last year, the Ethel Walker School announced plans to develop 122 large houses on more than 400 acres of woodland it owns behind the school. The proposal drew considerable opposition; a group called "Save The Woods" formed to fight the development of the pristine forests and wetlands. Meanwhile, officials…

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-ethelw5nov30,0,4776513.story Trust Joins Preservation Effort November 30 2005 SIMSBURY -- Although the Trust for Public Land signed an agreement with Simsbury officials to help preserve 450 acres of woodland owned by the Ethel Walker School that is proposed for development, there is still no assurance that the land will be saved. The arrangement is the first of many steps that must take place to prevent the school from building a large luxury-home subdivision. Plans call for construction of more than 120 houses on 165 acres of the property, which is zoned residential. Homes would be built on 1- and…

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-ethelwalker5sep19,0,697200.story Preserve Ethel Walker's Woods September 19 2005 SIMSBURY -- A report that the Keep the Woods citizens group intends to withdraw its legal challenge to the Ethel Walker School's plans to build a large luxury-home subdivision on its wooded campus in Simsbury is encouraging. The group's appeal of the town conservation commission's approval of a campus wetlands map that is needed to proceed with the project created unnecessary animosity and divisiveness. No one, not even the trustees of the school, which has kept the land in pristine condition for 90 years, wants the development. Unfortunately, the school must…