BERLIN – After more than a decade on Old Ocean City Boulevard, Assateague Coastal Trust has a new address.
Both Assateague Coastal Trust (ACT) and the Lower Shore Land Trust (LSLT) have relocated from their longtime location on Old Ocean City Boulevard in Berlin. ACT is now just around the corner on North Main Street while LSLT has a new home in Snow Hill.
“We feel like we’ve found the right place,” said Kathy Phillips, executive director of ACT who also serves as Assateague Coastkeeper. “It’s a nice location.”
According to Phillips, both organizations began searching for new space following the death of ACT Board member Sandra Frazer who owned the building on Old Ocean City Boulevard. Members of LSLT settled on the former law office at 100 River St. in Snow Hill while Phillips discovered the former Oltman house just around the corner from ACT’s longtime office was available.
“It’s pretty neat,” she said. “It’s got history.”
Phillips said her organization would be using the ground floor and would lease some space on the second floor to reduce costs for ACT. She said she was pleased to move ACT’s offices from one old house to another.
“I looked at so many office spaces,” she said. “They were your typical cubicle with a window in the back. I couldn’t see us in there at all. This is the perfect match for us.”
She said the house had a beautiful living room and its own backyard and parking lot. She believes the yard will be perfect for member barbeques while the parking lot will provide room for ACT’s annual plant sale.
Phillips said she was glad ACT would be able to stay in Berlin, which allowed her easy access to area waterways.
“It’s right for us to stay there,” she said. “I’m glad we found this space.”
Kate Patton, executive director of the Lower Shore Land Trust, says she’s equally glad to have found her organization space in Snow Hill. The building, which is being purchased by LSLT, is right on the water and close to numerous protected lands.
“The Lower Shore Land Trust Board of Directors have made a significant investment in the building, demonstrating their commitment to land conservation and to promoting vibrant towns on the Lower Eastern Shore,” Patton said. “We’re also excited to work with existing businesses and the community to support mutual goals in making Snow Hill a center for outdoor recreation.”
The new location will provide LSLT with room for classroom-style programs, demonstration gardens and a visitor center showcasing the heritage of the region.
In order to be able to buy the new building, Patton said the organization launched a capital campaign in May. The fundraising effort, “Standing Our Ground,” is already halfway to its $300,000 goal.
Michael Day, Snow Hill’s economic development consultant, is thrilled to see another of the town’s many vacancies filled, particularly by an organization that places such an importance on Snow Hill’s natural surroundings.
“This will bring a whole new energy to town,” Day said.
Lower Shore Land Trust will host a series of open house events in the coming months and invites the public to check out the new office during next week’s Blessing of the Combines.
