Projects
The Beginning
Formed in 1988 to give direction to haphazard growth and high density development that threatened to degrade the character of both towns, Land Bank began acquiring land in Wolfeboro's Back Bay area through donations and purchases. Because the parcels were contiguous and close to downtown Wolfeboro, acquisition of this land was crucial for suitable development in that part of town. Thanks in part to a grant from the Lakes Region Charitable Foundation, Land Bank was able to fund a planning charrette to determine the most appropriate use of these acres.
The Taylor Community
Economic - Social
In 2000, The Taylor Community, a Laconia based non-profit organization, purchased 120 acres from Land Bank to create an independent senior living community. The facility now consists of 24 homes which helped lessen the senior housing shortage.
Wolfeboro Area Recreation Association
The Nick
Since 40 of the original 120 acres purchased by Taylor Homes were unsuitable to their purpose, they were returned to Land Bank for the purpose of increasing the number of playing fields in the area. Land Bank founded WARA and donated these acres for that purpose. It was determined that this land was not appropriate for sports so the WARA board sought alternatives. Aware of WARA’s search, the Pernokas family purchased the Albee sand pit and donated the land to WARA. Collaboration between WARA and the Pernokas resulted in the versatile 35-acre recreational facility, now called the Nick in honor of the Pernokas’ son. Three Land Bank directors were on the first WARA board.
Castle In The Clouds
Conservation - Recreation
Land Bank made major contributions to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust toward the purchase of 5500 acres at Castle in the Clouds.
View Over Causeway on Goodwin's Basin (Crescent Lake)
View - Conservation
The Goodwin's Basin project includes two separate acquisitions. With the help of the Wolfeboro Conservation Commission, Land Bank provided financial assistance to facilitate the donation of this view property from Center Street and the purchase of an adjacent lot.
Sewall Woods
Conservation - Recreation - Economics
Land Bank provided expertise, fundraising efforts, and a substantial monetary contribution to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust to purchase land near the center of Wolfeboro. This 179-acre property, a popular cross country skiing destination, might otherwise have been sold for development, which would have significantly changed the town's character.
Black Snout Mountain
Conservation - Recreation
Land Bank made a substantial financial contribution to the Lakes Region Conservation Trust to assist in purchasing this summit property.
Fernald Station
Conservation - Recreation
Land Bank paid part of the survey costs and facilitated a cooperative effort with the Wolfeboro Conservation Commission to purchase land for a multi-use trail head and increased parking.
Willey Brook Watershed
Conservation - Recreation
Land Bank paid part of the survey costs and worked closely with the Wolfeboro Conservation Commission to purchase and protect 55 acres of the Lake Wentworth Watershed.
Workforce Housing
Economic - Social
Land Bank made a contribution toward the development of four lots for workforce housing in Tuftonboro.
Anticipating the need for future expansion, Land Bank donated funds and facilitated the purchase of additional property abutting the Harriman Hill Workforce Housing project in Wolfeboro. We also helped fund the construction of a walking trail connecting Harriman Hill to Route 109A.
Cheney Farm Easement
Conservation
Land Bank worked closely with the Tuftonboro Conservation Commission and the Lakes Region Conservation Trust to develop a conservation easement, paying the cost of the survey and the appraisals needed for the project.
Whiteface Mountain
Conservation - Recreation
Land Bank identified the need to preserve the highest mountain top in Wolfeboro. We worked with two successive property owners to purchase the 95 acres in concert with the Wolfeboro Conservation Commission. The access is off Browns Ridge Road where there is a small parking area. We are now trying to purchase land for additional parking. Lakes Region Conservation Trust holds the easement.
Wolfeboro Library
Social
At the Town Manager's request we worked with the property owner to help her in finding a new place to live, so that she would feel comfortable selling her home to make space for the new library.
Mount Pleasant
Conservation - Recreation
Land Bank assisted the Lakes Region Conservation Trust in purchasing this summit property by covering the cost of appraisals. This property is located in both Tuftonboro and Wolfeboro and overlooks Wolfeboro's reservoir, Upper Beach Pond. Land Bank also made a substantial donation toward the purchase of this important 127-acre property.
Bean Park on Back Bay
Conservation - Recreation
We worked with the Bean family to facilitate their donation of an easement on waterfront property in downtown Wolfeboro.
Cotton Valley Trail
Conservation - Recreation
Land Bank helped to conserve an important 5.2 acre parcel that stretches for 1800 feet along the Cotton Valley Trail. Land Bank and the Wolfeboro Conservation Commission shared the cost of preserving this section of the well-used trail.
Brewster Heath
Conservation
Land Bank assisted the Wentworth Watershed Association with a leadership grant to help purchase the 111-acre Brewster Heath Preserve property.
Abenaki
Conservation
A Land Bank director mediated the purchase of a parcel adjacent to the Abenaki Recreation Area on behalf of the Town of Wolfeboro for additional parking.
Lake Wentworth
View - Conservation
We worked with the property owner and his real estate agent and were able to convince them to adjust building plans to preserve a view of Lake Wentworth.
Hersey-Hodge Project
Conservation
Land Bank made lead gift for the Hersey-Hodge Land Conservation Project to Wentworth Watershed Association. This 11.17 acres of land borders the Cotton Valley Trail and connects two of the association's conservation properties.
Lehner Street, Wolfeboro
Recreation
Land Bank negotiated the purchase of two properties on Lehner Street adjacent to Foss Field for the Town of Wolfeboro and donated a substantial amount to the purchase. This allowed for the removal of the buildings and construction of bathrooms and a covered gathering area at the recreation fields.
Great Meadow
Conservation
Land Bank assisted the Tuftonboro Conservation Commission with the purchase of three lots in Great Meadow, an important aquifer.
Invasives
Conservation
Land Bank supports the town’s efforts to control the growth of invasive species such as Purple Loosestrife, Japanese Knotweed, Bittersweet, and others.
Visit extension.unh.edu and invasivespeciesinfo.gov for information about invasive species.
