To the editor:

Spruce Acres Farms is a centrally located, 23-acre property that is a contiguous parcel of scenic open space along the center island greenway in Middletown and Portsmouth Rhode Island. 

My residence abuts this unique and natural open space, which could provide an environmental asset to all of Aquidneck Island in perpetuity, for generations to come. Tours of the property can be scheduled by contacting the Aquidneck Land Trust directly; however, a leisurely walk through this property leaves the pedestrian with a sense of amazement that he is actually right in the heart of our busy and heavily traveled Aquidneck Island. 

Part of the farm was previously dedicated to a Christmas tree farm, which produced a variety of walking trails that still exist throughout the neatly organized rows of spruce trees. Having walked the property, myself, you can observe a healthy variety of vegetation and wildlife that is supported by the natural environment. 

The Aquidneck Land Trust is currently attempting to acquire Spruce Acres Farms, not only to prevent its development into a 20-lot subdivision, but also to create public trail access, a place for island residents to grow food and as a natural habitat for local wildlife. It goes without saying that Aquidneck Island garners 100 percent of its drinking water from rainwater, which drains into the ground water and this preservation project will prevent the draining of pollutants into Sisson Pond, one of our drinking water supplies. 

Single-home development has been an inevitable story of the transformation of Aquidneck Island over the years, however the natural conservation of farmland and wildlife will save the tax payers a tremendous amount of money in infrastructure and maintenance costs going forward. Abutters and local residents near Spruce Acres have been assisting the Aquidneck Land Trust maintain Spruce Acres as a useful and permanent open space. 

In order to preserve the environmental future of Aquidneck Island, please inquire as to ways to help save this land by visiting http://ailt.org/spruceacres.

Kevin O. Hagan, Esq.

Newport