BURRILLVILLE – In spite of the 90 plus degree weather, golfers from all across southern New England descended on Crystal Lake Golf Club in Mapleville to take part in the first ever Burrillville Land Trust golf tournament to Save Sweet’s Hill.
“It was hot. But the golfers and those who attended really stepped up to help save this iconic property,” said Paul Roselli, president of the Burrillville Land Trust.
Non-profit organization is trying to raise funds to purchase and manage Sweet’s Hill in Harrisville – a property just off of Route 107, East Avenue, which was once part of a 1,000 acre farm. The now 150-acre property is up for sale, and the land trust is trying to purchase the iconic lot for the benefit of town residents and for others in the region, before the property is turned into house lots.
“This is a once in a lifetime purchase that would benefit all in the town of Burrillville and all over the state and region,” said Roselli.
The golf tournament was held on Friday, July 22 at the golf club at 100 Broncos Highway, with a shot gun start at 8 a.m. The tournament included 18 holes of golf, a golf cart, a deluxe BBQ buffet, $8 credit at the pro shop, “and our appreciation for saving Sweet’s Hill,” according to Roselli.
All profits from the event go towards the purchase and stewardship of the lot.
The land trust, an all volunteer private land trust in Burrillville, was instrumental in educating many in the
state about the proposed construction and operation of a 1-gigawatt gas-fired power plant for the
middle of the woods in northwestern Rhode Island.
“The entire town, and state was steeped in this fight,” Roselli said. “Saving Sweet’s Hill would be a gift to all those who fought for nearly five years to stop this ecological disaster from taking place.”
“The appeal is this – right now the property is off-limits to hiking; the property is surrounded by 1,548 acres of Black Hut; and close by is Spring Lake – a fresh water ‘old fashioned’ swimming hole; there is a civil war hero grave site that is all but off limits to the casual hiker,” Roselli said.
Once the property is owned by the BLT, the land trust would construct and open up hiking and walking trails, construct a nature viewing platform and provide guided walks designed to tell the story of these woods and fields.
“The land trust’s goal has always been to get the word out on saving this property and saving our biodiversity and rural sense of place,” said Roberta Lacey – one of the organizers of the event. “This golf tournament is another way of getting the word out about clean water, clean air and the natural beauty all around us. That’s what saving Sweet’s Hill is all about.”
“Our efforts are statewide and all over the region,” said Roselli. “When we save this property and put in hiking trails and a nature platform, this will be a destination for folks from all over New England.”
