Nonprofit may buy Hendricks Head property

Mon, 11/23/2015 - 10:30am

    On Wednesday evening, Nov. 18, Southport selectmen signed an agreement granting a right of first refusal for the purchase of the former Lepper Gardner property at Hendricks Head Beach.

    The grant of “first option” went to Land For Southport’s Future, a nascent nonprofit which filed with the Maine Secretary of State’s Office less than 30 days ago on Oct. 26 and is headed by island resident Nancy Prisk. The option allows 120 days after receipt of a bona fide offer for the nonprofit to exercise its right to purchase for $1 more than other offers.

    The beach at Hendricks Head has been enjoyed by residents and visitors for generations and is cherished as a fundamental part of the island community. The house and land are in close proximity to Rachel Carson’s cottage. The property was purchased by the town for $1.25 million in September 2013, after Southport residents overwhelmingly voted in favor of the acquisition from relatives of Ruth Lepper Gardner, the previous owner.

    The idea for the nonprofit Land for Southport’s Future occurred to Prisk as she joined the efforts of her neighbors to obtain the beach for future generations. “It’s about the culture here,” she explained. “People take care of each other because it’s a rural island community. Buying the land makes sure it’s available to everyone both now and in the future.”

    Implementation of the nonprofit was several years in the making. Prisk made certain that the island’s residents would be in favor of the plan and spent many months canvassing her neighbors to see what they thought about the property.

    In July 2015, she attended a meeting of the Southport selectmen and asked them a key question: Was Southport ready for a nonprofit organization that would work to improve access to the waterfront?  It wasn’t until early September that Prisk shared the specifics of her vision with the selectmen.  By the end of September, the selectmen gave their final verbal approval for the option and the paperwork was started.

    The future of the property is yet to be determined but the initial option expires this spring. The community will decide the best use for the house and grounds, possibly as an art and science facility for the school and a place for group meetings for local organizations, Prisk said. The community of area artists has expressed its excitement about having a place with a beautiful view in which to paint.

    Selectman Smith Climo said when the paperwork was signed, “We are thrilled that this has come to fruition and we hope everything works out for Nancy and her group.”    

    For information on making a tax-exempt contribution to Land for Southport’s Future, call 207-633-7677.