Agreement to Protect Historic Forest

Central Indiana Land Trust is one of 16 organizations receiving grants

More than 30 acres of wooded area surrounding Lacywood Estate in Indianapolis will not be developed. A conservation easement signed by the Central Indiana Land Trust and the property owner ensures the land will be protected forever.

The area in northwestern Marion County surrounds Lacywood, the famous estate built in the 1930s by the Lacy family. The forest includes trees that pre-date the settlement of Indiana.

Cliff Chapman, executive director of the CILT says while it will not be open to the public, the property will benefit the public in other ways.

"This will ensure that an area of greenspace remains to support local wildlife and preserve trees that harken pre-settlement Indiana," said Chapman. "This will benefit nearby landowners as well as those who simply pass through the area."

The CILT says a conservation easement is a legal agreement that puts specific land-use restrictions on a property. Those restrictions are in accordance with the desires of the property owner and are attached to the title of the property. Because of that, they will remain in place even if the property is sold to new owners.