After nearly a year of preparation and with little fanfare, local land trust Dartmouth Natural Resources Trust officially opened its new Dike Creek Reserve on Bakerville Road earlier this month.

According to a DNRT press release, the 77-acre property features two miles of nature trails, an agricultural field, coastal wildlife habitats, and views of Dike Creek marsh.

Combined with surrounding conservation lands, the reserve is part of a block of 570 acres of protected land around Dike Creek.

“This property represents the best of what’s worth preserving in Dartmouth,” said DNRT Executive Director Dexter Mead. “While it is disappointing we could not have a big opening celebration for this reserve, it does not diminish our enthusiasm for having been able to conserve this fabulous property.”

DNRT acquired Dike Creek Reserve in September 2019 as part of a coastal farm land acquisition project in partnership with the Buzzards Bay Coalition.

The release noted that the organization’s staff and volunteers spent 10 months creating the two-mile trail system, including more than 600 feet of boardwalk. Volunteers included brothers and Troop 74 Eagle Scout candidates Matthew and Daniel Mumma who built additional boardwalk, a kiosk, and a bench.

The coastal farm preservation campaign also permanently protected the 51 acres of farmland surrounding the Dike Creek property, as well as the 21-acre property known as Eva’s Garden on Jordan Road.

More than 175 individuals and families donated nearly $1 million for the project, with just over $1 million coming from a variety of grants. Grant sources include the Dartmouth Community Preservation Fund, the Dartmouth Agricultural Preservation Trust Fund, the USDA Agricultural Land Easement Program, and Buzzards Bay National Estuary Program.

DNRT is a non-profit land trust that has helped permanently protect over 5,400 acres of wetlands, wildlife habitat, farmland, forests and scenic landscapes in Dartmouth.

The Dike Creek Reserve is located on the east side of Bakerville Road, about 0.65 miles south of the intersection with Gulf Road. More information about the property and DNRT can be found at www.dnrt.org.