In North Stamford, between High Ridge Road and the Laurel Reservoir
sits the SLCT’s Percy Lee Langstaff Preserve. Comprised of four separate
lots totaling 14.1 acres, the preserve was acquired by the SLCT in two
steps. First, in 1982 we acquired six acres from The Nature
Conservancy, which in turn had acquired the parcel in 1978 from the generous donation of Sadie Sporn. Then, the three lots which comprise the balance of the preserve were acquired from the City of Stamford in 1998, bringing the total to 14.1 acres. But as Paul Harvey used to say, there is “The Rest of the Story”. 

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As early as 1984, a series of residential developers sought easements or outright purchase of the 6 acres that we acquired in 1982, in conjunction with development plans on the adjacent property which at the time comprised nearly 50 acres of contiguous forest. While eventually some of the adjacent properties were developed, the SLCT retained ownership of the original parcel and granted no easements. Subsequently, in 1998, the SLCT acquired the remaining 3 properties, bringing the total preserve to its present 14 acres.

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The property is accessible from the cul de sac at the end of Shady Knoll Drive, although access is limited to the public and requires prior approval from the Land Trust.  It is entirely wooded and due to its adjacency to both Connecticut state forest and Aquarion Water Company land provides an integral part of a much larger expanse of hardwoods and wetlands that borders the Laurel Reservoir. Together, this expanse supports waterfowl, amphibians such as frogs and salamanders as well as deer, fox, coyotes and more.

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About Percy Lee Langstaff

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Although she was not one of the original founders of the Stamford Land Conservation Trust, Percy Lee Langstaff was the public face of the Land Trust for over 25 years, 23 of them as President. An indominable force, SLCT stewardship grew over tenfold during Percy’s tenure. She also played a vital role in saving the Blake Coleman and Treetops properties and was one of the visionaries behind the Mill River Park and Greenway. Her impact and commitment to open space in Stamford cannot be overstated. The Land Trust has honored Percy in multiple ways. In 2001, the Spring Hill Lane Preserve was renamed the Percy Lee Langstaff Preserve and, on her retirement in 2007, the SLCT Board dedicated a stone bench and plaque to Percy in honor of her vision and leadership in the preservation of open space at its 25-acre Birch Meadow Preserve.​

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