Seymour Land Trust Expands, Still Dealing With Storm Damage

PHOTO: Jodie MozdzerThe Seymour Land Trust has doubled the size of its headquarters building on Chatfield Road — creating more room for community programs and events at the center. 

The Land Trust has planned a grand re-opening ceremony for 10 a.m. on March 3 to show the public the new facility. 

The Land Trust property, called Legion Pool, includes a pond, a small waterfall, paths through the woods and picnic areas. The building on the property is now about 2,000 square feet. It has meeting space and a kitchen for events. 

For all the events we hold here, the building was too small,” said Alex Danka, the Seymour Land Trust president. 

Those events range from weekly karate classes for members, to fishing rodeos for the blind. 

The Land Trust hosts Halloween events, fishing courses and environmental programs at the center. Click here to view the Land Trust’s website, with more information.

The Land Trust is a private organization, but often works with the town on events, Dank said. 

PHOTO: Jodie MozdzerThe building used to hold about 48 people with tables and chairs, or about 60 people with just chairs, Danka said. 

Now, it can hold about 100 with tables and chairs, or about 200 with just chairs, he said. 

The group has been working toward the expansion project since 2008, Danka said. 

They received grants from the Katharine Matthies Foundation and the Community Foundation for Greater New Haven to help pay for the repairs, which cost about $150,000 Danka said. 

Much of the work and supplies was donated by area companies. 

The building now has three bathrooms — two of which are handicapped accessible. 

The renovations and expansion was recently completed, despite other obstacles facing the Land Trust. 

PHOTO: Jodie MozdzerThis past summer, two storms caused flooding and damage at the property. 

A bridge over a stream was destroyed, and several large rocks and debris washed up into the pond. The downstairs of the Land Trust building also received some damage, Danka said. 

About 60 to 70 volunteers helped at several work parties to clean up the grounds, Danka said. The Land Trust still has more repairs to do — specifically on the bridge that was washed away. 

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