Several years ago Oswit Land Trust (OLT) shared with the community its vision of taking failing or closed golf courses and converting them to a beautiful nature preserve. Two of these golf courses, Bel Air Greens and Mesquite Golf, were actively for sale for development. OLT began diligently working on how to acquire both of these properties and save them as open space.
Building on golf courses is a trend that is happening all over the country. In the last 10 years over 1500 golf courses have been sold for development. Developers’ interest in golf courses makes it very difficult and tricky for a land trust to buy a property as the grant process can take several years and developers can move much faster on a purchase. In addition, the land trust can only pay the appraised value when using grants to purchase land.
It became obvious that OLT did not have the time to go through the grant process to acquire the Mesquite Golf Course property and that a developer would beat them to the purchase. In an amazing act of generosity, The Prescott Foundation, one of Oswit Land Trust’s top supporters, decided to provide the funding to acquire the property. Brad Prescott, a long time resident of Palm Springs, is the Chairman and President of The Prescott Foundation.
Prescott Preserve, when completed, will be lush with native plants and trees and will be a spectacular place for both humans and wildlife. It hopes to include a large butterfly garden, a native tree garden (where you can plant a native tree or plant to honor someone), designated bird watching areas, floats for migratory birds, educational signage, walking paths and more!
Oswit Land Trust will immediately begin applying for grants to plan and create the nature preserve. The land trust has a 1 to 5 year plan for the property to create the preserve. However, during the planning and creating phase, a designated loop will remain open for residents and leashed dogs. Oswit Land Trust will be holding meetings with the surrounding neighborhoods and the community to gather their ideas for the preserve.
Prescott Preserve, when completed, will be lush with native plants and trees and will be a spectacular place for both humans and wildlife.
