The Karl F. Berger Preserve is located on the 850-acre Bremen Long Island, located at the mouth of the Medomak River. The 180-acre preserve was donated to the Medomak Valley Land Trust by philanthropists Daniel and Suzanne Goldenson, in two parcels including 165-acres in 2007 and an additional 15-acres in 2010.
The 15-acre gift includes 700-ft. of deepwater frontage on the eastern shore. The preserve has more than a half-mile of ocean frontage.
The Goldensons purchased the property for over a million dollars with the sole purpose of preserving it. “There was no public access to Bremen Long Island before that. I purchased two large parcels, approximately 300-acres. It was approximately one third of the island,” Dan said. The Goldensons gave 175-acres to MVLT for preservation, and kept the rest in reserve, including the pier, ramp and float.
“I just think over time, opportunities to preserve land like this will become fewer and fewer. I believe in giving back to the community and decided to give back in Maine. I thought it would be worthwhile to preserve land here in Bremen and in Lincoln County,” Dan said of donating the land.
“I’m very committed to helping [Bremen’s] working waterfront, Dan said of writing and receiving a $300,000 grant for the new Bremen Lobster Realty Co-op.
Goldenson also provided matching funds for the project. He is also involved in fundraising efforts for the new swimming pool at the CLC YMCA in Damariscotta.
Dan said his main focus in on “preservation and (providing) recreation (opportunities) for families. We’re sharing the benefits I have had in my career by doing these things.”
He grew up in Princeton, N.J. and attended Princeton University. “I was a successful publisher my whole career. I’m 67 and I’m in the give back stage,” Dan said of donating the pristine property.
“I’ve preserved a lot of land. In Princeton, N.J., I was chairman for a project, Friends of Coventry Farm. The 160-acre farm is the oldest and largest farm in Princeton. I helped preserve that piece. The price of land kept going up, we could have gotten it for $2 million, but paid $10 million,” Daniel commented on his very first conservation project.
His first project in Maine was to donate 50-acres to the Maine Audubon Society for a bird sanctuary. “We re-assembled a very large farm on Keene Narrows Road. We bought the home and eight acres at auction in 1995. Over a period of five years we acquired the remainder of the family farm, over 100 acres,” Dan said.
The Karl F. Berger Preserve was dedicated on Sat., Aug. 20. It is named for former Bremen Selectman Karl F. Berger, who died suddenly in 2007. “He was my age. When I went to his funeral the family talked about how they wanted him to be remembered. He was interested in recreation and the environment. He had given a lot of time to Bremen,” Dan said of naming the preserve for Berger to immortalize his name forever.
The island, once a thriving year ’round community, is now summer home to about 25 families, and many have owned their property for generations.
The preserve stretches the entire width of Bremen Long Island, from Hockomock Channel on the west shore to the Flying Passage on the East, a distance of about 4000 feet.
The preserve has 2700 feet of deepwater frontage, and a white sand beach. The highest point on Bremen Long Island is located on the preserve.
The town road runs through the property, and there are two well marked blue blazed trails on the preserve. Trails on the property are accessible from the east and west shores. The best water access from the mainland is from Medomak Landing in Bremen, which is a carry in site.
From Rt. 32 in Bremen, turn onto the Medomak Road, and then turn left onto the Town Landing Road.
From the Bremen Town Landing float, Bremen Long Island can be seen straight ahead. To the south (right at about two o’clock) in front of Bremen Long Island is the smaller Clam Island.
Paddle across Hockomock Channel toward the northern tip of Clam Island, then turn south (right) and paddle between the islands. At low tide, a long sandbar and a ledge stick out in the channel between the islands, which have to be paddled around. At high tide one can easily paddle over them.
Once past Clam Island, head toward another smaller island with small buildings on it. Paddle around a small point on Bremen Long Island, and a bright orange triangle can be seen on shore. This marks the trailhead.
A second trail head, also marked by an orange triangle and trail sign, is located on the eastern shore of the island on the Flying Passage.
Be sure to pull kayak or canoe well above the high tide mark before going hiking. The main trail that goes from shore to shore is about a mile long (one way) and gradually goes up to the highest spot on the island, then descends to rock ledges and a small pristine pebble beach overlooking the Flying Passage.
Once in the woods, the trees swallow a walker up with its lush canopy overhead. The mixed growth forest is mostly softwood, including pine, hemlock, spruce and a stand of cedar.
The floor of the forest is carpeted with emerald green moss, giving a mythical quality to this very special place. Deep in the woods, the scent of the salt air still teases the senses.
The trail covers rugged ground, so sturdy shoes or sneakers are a must. It crosses two rocky ledges, overlooking the lush green forest below. The east shore offers spectacular views. Ledges provide the perfect spot for a picnic, and the pebble beach and seaweed covered rocks offer plenty of opportunities to explore the region’s hidden treasures.
There is a loop trail off the main trail, part of which is on the town road.
Plan on three to four hours to paddle out to the preserve and hike out to the east shore, and the loop trail and return. Time is largely dependent on the tides, and how much time is spent on the eastern shore of the preserve.
Paddle back the same route. Once past the northern end of clam island turn west (left) and paddle back to the mainland. A large building with a red roof is located south of the Bremen Town Landing, and a small red cottage and several moored sailboats are located north of the landing.
