Fundraising Campaign to Save White Wharf (MA)

Rockport, MA–At slightly less than one acre, the White Wharf property lies across the old harbor from Lumber Wharf and Middle Wharf, which are already owned by the Town of Rockport. The property includes a 220 ft. granite wharf, a marina with 30 slips, and a small undeveloped open lot. TPL purchased the property last fall for $1.1 million to hold it off the market until Town Meeting could vote on purchasing the property.

“Protecting White Wharf will help preserve Rockport’s unique historic and maritime character,” explained Craig MacDonnell, project manager for TPL. “Private support will play a critical role in enabling the Town to take advantage of this opportunity. The more money that is raised before March 24, the greater the chances are that Town Meeting will vote to purchase the Wharf.”

According to John Bruce, president of the Seafencibles, “The purchase of historic White Wharf and adjoining parkland is a great opportunity for Rockport. This will complete the Town ownership of the wharfs in Old Harbor and provide boating, environmental, and conservation opportunities for the town.”

Ed Becker, executive director of the Essex County Greenbelt Association, points out, “This project is a terrific opportunity for the community. The preservation of White Wharf depends on the financial support of the townspeople and the political support at Town Meeting. The next few weeks will be a critical phase of the project.”

Tax-deductible contributions for the protection of White Wharf can be sent to the Trust for Public Land, 33 Union Street, Fourth Floor, Boston, MA 02108. For more information about the project, contact Carol Hall at (617) 367-6200 x328.

The Trust for Public Land is a national conservation organization dedicated to protecting land for people to enjoy as parks and open space. Since 1972, TPL has protected more than 1.2 million acres nationwide, including nearly 60,000 acres in New England. The Wall Street Journal’s Smart Money Magazine recently named TPL the nation’s most efficient large conservation charity, based on the percentage of funds dedicated to programs. For more information, call TPL’s Boston office at (617) 367-6200 or visit www.tpl.org.

Seafencibles, Inc. is a nonprofit organization of concerned and dedicated citizens who care about the history and the future of Cape Ann. Their mission is to “preserve and protect our historical coastal areas from overdevelopment” and to “maintain properties of outstanding scenic, historic, and ecological value.” For more information contact Seafencibles, Inc. at (978) 546-3058.