Jaeger Tract Acquisition at Greenbelt Park Now Likely

On October 21st, the City Council for the City of Greenbelt unanimously passed a funding resolution authorizing a loan in the amount of $200,000 to help acquire the 17-acre parcel known as the Jaeger Tract.  The City was able to make this funding available because of a $200,000 loan guaranty made by the National Park Trust.

Mayor Judith Davis and other council members hailed the move as a "win" for Greenbelt and for the environment.  Purchase of the Jaeger Tract would complete the Greenbelt Park.  "It represents the jewel in the setting," said NPT President Paul Pritchard.

The Mayor thanked NPT, represented by Trustees Barry Schimel  and Paul Pritchard and Vice Presidents Davinder Khanna and Jim Coffin.  Pritchard commended Congressman Hoyer, the City of Greenbelt, the National Park Service, the citizens of Westchester Park and NPT members for this "wonderful partnership effort."  He added, "We will do whatever it takes to help to preserve America's treasures."

The effort to acquire the property has spanned more than twenty years  -- but the final pieces of the deal have come together only in the last few weeks.  The property had been approved as a subdivision for single-family homes.   In 2001, citizens, the city council, the National Park Service and National Park Trust worked with Congressman Stenny Hoyer to obtain a federal appropriation of $1,000,000 for the purchase.  The City of Greenbelt then authorized $100,000 of its "Open-space Funds" for the purchase.

Coffin, Schimel and Pritchard discuss future
cooperation with City Manager Michael P. McLaughlin

Within the past 3 weeks, and with time running out, the Congressional appropriation was extended and restrictions removed.  Then, the National Park Service "stepped to the plate" and added an additional $100,000 to the mix.  The residents of Westchester Park and other concerned citizens had chipped in nearly $10,000.

NPT agreed to the guarantee of $200,000, thus paving the way for the City of Greenbelt's loan authorization.  The available funds for the purchase now stand at just over $1,409,000.  The Seller is reportedly seeking $1.5 million.

"We are 14/15's of the way there," said NPT's Vice President Jim Coffin, who is leading the NPT effort to preserve the Jaeger parcel.  "It is the last major inholding in the park.  We need everyone to make a final contribution to complete this protection."

For more information please visit us on our website, www.parktrust.org.  The National Park Trust is the only land conservancy dedicated exclusively to America's parklands, saving nationally significant wildlife, scenic wildlife and historic wonders.

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