229 acres in Cumberland set aside for water protection, recreation/PBN

Good example of private/public cooperation and investment in core natural resources, open space and quality of life.


GREEN SPACE: 229 acres of land in northeast Cumberland has been purchased by the Town of Cumberland for $1.5 million, primarily for conservation. Above, the land shaded red was involved in the transaction. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Sisters of Mercy in Cumberland, part of an international religious institute of Catholic women, has sold most of its local property in a deal with R.I. state and local officials to protect public drinking water and preserve the land for conservation and recreation.

Announced this week, officials told Providence Business News the $1.5 million sale is designed to protect the water supply to thousands of homes and businesses in Pawtucket, Central Falls, and most of Cumberland.

“The preservation of this land will help protect the raw water used to supply a population of 125,000 retail and wholesale customers with clean, safe drinking water,” said Chris Collins, source water manager for the Pawtucket Water Supply Board.

About three years in the making, the 229-acre sale by the the Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Northeast Community to the Town of Cumberland also involves the Pawtucket Water Supply Board and the state Department of Environmental Management, among others.

SISTERS OF MERCY has sold 229 acres of land, primarily for conservation and partially for community ball fields. / COURTESY R.I. DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

The site – with woodland, open fields, and wetlands in the northeast corner of Cumberland – is near the Diamond Hill Reservoir and the Diamond Hill Reservation.

In addition, officials said, the land will be preserved for environmental and recreational purposes, such as hiking, bird watching, and cross-country skiing. And it includes 17 acres that will be used to develop community ball fields.

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas Northeast Community will retain control of a few acres of land near the site, occupied by its administrative building, the Mount St. Rita Health Centre, and other facilities, officials said.

The sale of the 229 acres is intended to fulfill a goal for the land set many years ago.

“The Sisters of Mercy of the former Rhode Island Province voted over 30 years ago to explore options to place their sacred land in conservation,” said Sister Jacqueline Marie Kieslich, president of Mercy Northeast Community.

“This land hosted their home and center of prayer, and later, Mount St. Rita Health Centre, their health care ministry,” Sister Kieslich said.

“The sisters’ long-held intention has come to fruition at last, and we are delighted that the fields and forest lands that have given us so much joy and consolation are going to be preserved into the future,” she added.

The deal involved financial backing from the Town of Cumberland ($405,000), the Pawtucket Water Supply Board ($300,000), The Nature Conservancy ($295,000 via a grant from the Champlin Foundation), and the Cumberland Land Trust ($100,000).

Also, in exchange for a $400,000 state Open Space grant, the Town of Cumberland has conveyed a conservation easement of more than 211 acres of the land to the state Department of Environmental Management.

“History is being made with the acquisition of this prime 229-acre site,” Cumberland Mayor William Murray said. “We are preserving a wilderness, protecting our water supply, and creating 17 acres of recreation fields for our youth.”