By Clark Judge
(June 24, 2025) — Green is good.
No, that’s not a typo. Nor is it a reference to Gordon Gecko or the film, “Wall Street.” But it could be the response of local environmentalists to the Killingworth Land Conservation Trust’s latest acquisition, a 27.3-acre property that adjoins Parmelee Farm and Welter Woods to comprise 300 acres of protected land.
“The proximity of this piece can’t be beaten,” said KLCT director Geoff Picard. “I call it another win for conservation, as it makes a huge chunk of open space a greenway.”
Picard was a key player in the deal, conferring with the First Congregational Church of Madison – which owns the property – over the past two to three years to gauge its interest in selling. It was an exercise that former KLCT president Bruce Dodson had tried for years … no, decades … without success. But then Picard entered the picture, and, lo and behold, his persistence paid off.
The church’s congregation approved the deal last month.
“They had other offers come in,” Picard said, “but I think they liked the fact that it was going to be open space used for trails and recreation. The big sell had to be with the congregation, and a lot of its members walk Parmelee.”
Terms of the sale were not disclosed, but the two sides have until October to close.
“I’m thrilled,” KCLT president Andy Annino said of the deal. “I’ve been on the board since 1998, and we’ve had our eyes on this property for a long time. I’m glad to see it finally come to fruition. We’ve had our eyes on this property for a long time.
“But Geoff is the one who reached out, and I think we feel lucky. That’s because it connects Land Conservation Trust land on the south side (Welter Woods) and Parmelee Farm on the north. Currently, there’s a trail that goes around it. But this gives us a continuous green belt through the center of Killingworth that will never be developed, which is what I like.”
The land was originally part of “Camp Pardee,” a 21.07-acre tract of land gifted in 1926 by Wilber W. Pardee to the First Congregational Church of Madison for use of the Madison Boy Scouts. Three years later, in May, 1929, a six-acre tract partially adjoining Camp Pardee was bought from Charles Gesick for the Madison Girl Scouts and deeded to the Congregational Church. However, it wasn’t until 1966 that a survey of the Congregational Church’s property determined it to be 27.3 acres, a site that includes cliffs, a brook, bridge, camping platforms and an Adirondack shelter.
News of the acquisition was first relayed through Facebook earlier this month, with Picard posting what he termed “BIG news” alongside a map of the parcel wedged between Welter Woods and Parmelee Farm. The map made it clear why the KLCT was so resolute with its overtures: With the property, it can open continuous trails for hiking, biking and recreation from Route 148 to just south of the Platt Nature Center on Roast Meat Hill Road.
In his post, Picard also included an announcement of a July 19, 2025 “Pizza for Preservation” event at Parmelee Farm to support the KLCT’s Land Acquisition Fund. Admission is $50 with, as the flyer shown above indicates, “all you can eat pizza and dessert” served by Frank’s Mobile Kitchen in Clinton.
In the meantime, the KLCT plans to apply for a land capital grant with the Connecticut Land Conservation Council that could ameliorate some of its costs. It also revealed that it will launch a $50,000 fundraising campaign to offset the purchase cost.
“I’m just thrilled we’re going to make this happen,” Picard said.
Photos by Geoff Picard
