DEER ISLE — Trustees of the Island Heritage Trust (IHT) voted at their November meeting to go forward with plans to purchase a six-acre parcel that includes the Lily Pond beach, assuring that the site will remain accessible to the public for generations to come.

Mike Little, executive director of the trust, said a fund-raising campaign was started more than a year ago to raise $361,290 to buy the waterfront parcel and establish a fund for managing the site. To date, some $320,000 has been raised through grants and contributions, more than enough to cover the purchase price and well on its way to establishing an investment fund to maintain the site in perpetuity.

For generations, islanders have enjoyed the beach in summer for swimming and in winter for skating. Public access to the only beach on Lily Pond was jeopardized when the current owners of the property, Randy and Sandy Haskell, decided to sell the parcel.

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