The Los Altos-based Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District’s board of directors last week approved the purchase of the 3,681-acre Peninsula Open Space Trust’s (POST) Driscoll Ranch, the single largest purchase in the district’s history.
The district will pay $9 million for the property, approximately $2,445 per acre. The price is a bargain considering POST paid $21 million in January 2002 for the land, located next to the La Honda Creek Open Space Preserve near the unincorporated town of La Honda.
“This will be an important milestone for the district, the coastside and the entire region,” said J. Edmond (Jed) Cyr, who was named president of the district’s board last week. “The purchase of more than five square miles of coastside land allows us to help preserve the coastside’s precious agricultural land while protecting water quality and threatened species.”
Cyr Jr., of Sunnyvale was unanimously elected president for a one-year term.
Also elected were directors Ken Nitz as the district’s vice president, Mary Davey of Los Altos Hills as treasurer, and Nonette Hanko as secretary.
“There are three clear goals I will work toward as president,” Cyr said. “Implementing the Coastside Protection Program, balancing district lands for multiple uses and improving resource management.”
Created by voters more than 30 years ago, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District has protected and managed more than 50,000 acres of open space. For more information, visit www.openspace.org.
