News

75 acres of unspoiled acreage of mature deciduous forest saved

June 1, 2004

When James R. Kelly, Jr. of Takoma Park died in December 2002, he left instructions in his will that a 75-acre vacation retreat he owned in North Harford County be kept “wild and unimproved” by an organization such as Harford Land Trust. It is a remarkable property and Mr. Kelly was a remarkable man.
 
He was a native of Harford whose varied achievements were climaxed by the Distinguished Career Award, the highest honor of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, for the innovative outpatient treatment program he developed for that agency.

HLT completed the agreement of sale for his North Harford property and expects took ownership in June 2004 for $75,000.  $25,000 came from a foundation challenge grant, which was matched by a Trust donor.  The remaining $25,000 was supplied by HLT funds.  To carry out Mr. Kelly’s wishes that the property be preserved as a natural area in perpetuity, HLT prepared a joint-conservation easement with the Maryland Environmental Trust.

The Kelly property, or “The Gulch” as it is now known, is in Harford’s northwestern corner south of the juncture of Harkins Road and Onion Road, one of the least traveled areas remaining in the county. It is an unspoiled acreage of mature deciduous forest through which flows Big Branch, a major tributary of Deer Creek. There is a cabin there where Mr. Kelly enjoyed rustic weekends and was host to his many friends.

His will stipulated that cabin and woods, by sale or donation, “remain in private, non-governmental ownership, wild and unimproved to be used for educational, conservation and recreational purposed only, and that any future alterations or structures be kept to a minimum necessary for maintaining the property.”

James R. Kelly’s Harford County property is a welcome addition to HLT holdings to be kept, according to his wishes, as an undisturbed natural area. It is also a reminder to future visitors of a life well spent.