Middlebury Area Land Trust and College Discuss Preservation of the Trail Around Middlebury Land

The Middlebury Area Land Trust (MALT), the nonprofit organization dedicated to the maintenance of open land around Middlebury, initiated a conversation with the College about the continual preservation of the Sabourin Farm property. The 108 acres of land currently owned by the College contains a half-mile portion of the Trail Around Middlebury (TAM).

The Sabourin property is located along Route 7 near the southern end of the Battell Woods.  MALT and Middlebury’s Parks and Recreation Department have discussed the potential purchase of the land to ensure the TAM’s longevity. MALT officials fear for the future of the public trail if the College should someday choose to put the property on the market and a private party decides to develop.

“MALT has had an interest in this property because of the Trail Around Middlebury. We believe that keeping that corridor open and undeveloped would be good for the town,” Carl Robinson, MALT’s executive director, told the Addison County Independent.

The Parks and Recreations Committee have also proposed the creation of new functional town spaces on the Sabourin land.

“The Parks & Recreation Committee is excited and anxious to realize new recreational opportunities while conserving an important piece of Middlebury’s open space in addition to more entrances and experiences of the Battell Woods,” Middlebury Parks and Recreation Director, Terri Arnold, and President of the Parks and Recreation Committee, Greg Boglioli, wrote to the Middlebury Select Board.

A popular proposal is the creation of a local dog park.

“This would allow an opportunity for all dogs to be off-leash, to run and play with no threat from cars,” town member Jane Steele told the Addison County Independent.

David Donahue, Special Assistant to President of the College Ronald D. Liebowitz, wrote an email response to the Addison Independent about the Sabourin property.

“At this point, [Middlebury College] has had no formal proposal. We have had various groups approach us about this piece of land during the past year with a variety of ideas of what might be possible. When I was approached, I suggested they consult with the town planner as part of any process to develop a proposal. We are not looking to sell the land but we would consider serious proposals,” Donahue wrote.

The Sabourin acreage is not the first parcel of College-owned land MALT has shown interest in acquiring. In fact, on September 13, MALT purchased 103 acres in Weybridge from the College to protect the habitat of birds, bobcats, coyotes, deer, and other animals.

As a nonprofit, MALT relies heavily on donations and volunteers. Its main work is in the upkeep of the TAM.

“We have no paid maintenance staff, and our volunteers come from a broad spectrum. Many of them are Middlebury College students,” Katie Reylley, MALT office manager, told the Middlebury Campus in a previous interview.

The 16-mile TAM loop, which runs through the towns of Middlebury, Weybridge, Cornwall, and New Haven, provides a popular running route for students and town residents alike.

“I really enjoy running or walking on the TAM, because it’s an easy way to escape and get out in nature for a couple of hours. The TAM is an excellent resource for community members and college students, because it’s so convenient,” Emily Robinson ’18.5 said.

Born and raised in Weybridge, Robinson grew up running the TAM with her family. She supports the creation of new recreational opportunities for the town.
“I think it would be a really great incubator space for people with common interests to come together and conserve something that is very important to the community and town of Middlebury,” Robinson said.