Open Space Alliance halfway to private donation fundraising goal

The Open Space Alliance has raised more than $2.5 million in private donations toward buying and preserving the Fourth Street Preserve and the Ard na Greine tracts in the Lewes area. 

That amount is more than halfway to the goal of $4.9 million in private donations.

“This is a great number; 145 individual donations that we’ve had over our time period,” said Open Space Alliance chair and former Lewes Mayor Jim Ford.

The campaign kicked off on Earth Day in April.  Ford joined Campaign Manager Pam Costanzi to give an update on the campaign at an informational session Aug. 31 at the Lewes Public Library.

Ford said the alliance recently applied for a grant from the Longwood Foundation. He said a decision is likely in January.  The alliance needs to raise $18.3 million by the end of 2024 to buy and preserve the two land parcels. The bulk of the funding for the campaign will come from government agencies.

Fourth Street Preserve is 29 acres located within the City of Lewes. Ard na Greine is 89 acres just outside city limits.  If the Open Space Alliance campaign is successful, the two areas will become parks with walking trails and natural wildlife habitats. 

“Neither of these preserves will have any buildings on them. They won’t have parking lots or bathroom facilities. They’ll both be passive recreation,” said Costanzi.  Ford said the house currently located on Ard na Greine will remain and could include a nature center and restrooms.

Costanzi said the alliance is 99% sure it will reach its goal by the end of 2024. 

“We’ve done two years of feasibility work, research, engineering studies,” she said. “We’re blessed to have a community with a high level of wealth and high level of commitment to getting it done.”

Costanzi said the owners of both parcels have agreed to extensions if the fundraising is a little short at the end of next year.

The Open Space Alliance has 10 more informational and fundraising events scheduled into 2024. The group is looking for volunteers to hand out materials at events like the Historic Lewes Farmers Market. It is also looking for people to host informational events.

The Open Space Alliance is a partnership between the Greater Lewes Foundation and the Sussex County Land Trust. For more information, go to osalewes.org.