After 88 years in private hands, the town of Somers has reacquired the YWCA Hartford Region’s Camp Aya-Po, intending to preserve its 173 acres as open space, authorities say.
The town closed its camp purchase in late May, YWCA CEO Deborah Ullman said Wednesday.
The town used a 2012 state open-space grant of $450,000 toward the $825,000 purchase price officials said.
“Camp Aya-Po is the crowning jewel of open space in Connecticut,” Somers First Selectman Lisa Pellegrini said. “We are looking forward to working with the land trust and various other organizations to preserve the property.”
The YWCA established Camp Aya-Po in 1926 after buying the land from Somers with a gift from Samuel P. Avery. The camp’s amenities include Lake Hurd and hiking trails.
Established in 1867, YWCA Hartford Region is America’s third-oldest YWCA affiliate.
