A major step toward protecting recreational open space on the South Fork has reached fruition as East Hampton Town advances the acquisition of the 4.14-acre Pathfinder Day Camp property. Situated along a scenic peninsula extending into Fort Pond, the $7.25 million purchase utilizes the municipality’s Community Preservation Fund to safeguard the historically significant parcel from residential development and environmental degradation. The off-market transaction reflects a shared effort by the long-standing property owners and local leaders to keep the land dedicated to community use.
The strategic acquisition completes a continuous 11-acre municipal footprint on the western banks of Fort Pond. By acquiring the Second House Road site, the town seamlessly connects the parcel with two existing protected properties: the 4-acre Carol Morrison Park to the east—home to the cultural hub at Fort Pond House—and an open-space parcel featuring public walking trails to the west. Consolidating these three lots prevents high-density residential construction within a delicate coastal watershed, reducing future environmental stress on the local freshwater body.
Beyond ecological conservation, the transaction preserves a half-century tradition of youth programming. Operating since 1964, the day camp has served generations of East End families. Under municipal ownership, town leaders intend to maintain the facility’s recreational function by establishing an agreement with a town-approved licensee, ensuring the grounds remain an accessible summer camp destination for local children for generations to come.
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