By Marcia Parnell
The Strassler family of Great Barrington and Alford, long-time owners of the Palmer Brook property here in Becket, have signed an option-to-purchase agreement with Mass Audubon for $5 million for the 850-acre tract, including a 125-acre lake. The undeveloped, pristine property lies between Plumb and Tyne Roads and has operated as the Berkshire Fishing Club since 1999. An appraisal commissioned by Mass Audubon valued the property at $5.8 million.
Mass Audubon is pursuing permanent protection of the property with the intent to own and care for it as a Mass Audubon Sanctuary. It has thus far secured $2.5 million in funding: $1.25 million awarded by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Landscape Partnership Grant Program and a $1.25 million commitment from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation. In addition to the remaining $2.5 million required for the purchase price, Mass Audubon is looking to raise another $2.5 million to $3 million for an endowment fund to cover start-up costs and care and maintenance over time. The targeted close for the sale is February 2026.
Brothers David and Robert Strassler are the founders of the Palmer Brook Corporation and purchased the tract in 1966 to diversify their assets. The lake was created in early 1967. David’s son Alan, who today oversees the care and management of the lake and land surrounding it for the extended family, explains that his dad and uncle initially wondered what they’d gotten themselves into; but once the dam was built, they were overwhelmed by the natural beauty surrounding them.
The Strassler brothers, their wives, and their combined five kids used the property as a camp for many years. “It was about as close to roughing it as you can get, but we all loved it,” says Alan. There was no electricity, no building. Just a shed where the parents slept and tents for all the kids. They used an outdoor fireplace and set up an outdoor kitchen just inside the woods. Even when Alan and his siblings were involved in other summer activities, Alan’s parents still came on the weekends and would bring all the provisions for a wonderful getaway. They enjoyed many idyllic evenings out on the lake watching the beavers and experiencing wonderful sunsets.
Over time, as the children grew up and the families spread across the country, the Strasslers visited the camp less and less. They began to consider ways to use the property more productively and keep a regular presence on site. That’s when they came up with the idea of the Berkshire Fishing Camp. They built a modest but solid and attractive lodge, acquired some small fishing boats and kayaks, and in 1999 began selling memberships to Berkshire County residents looking for a peaceful, unspoiled spot to experience nature through activities like fishing, birdwatching, boating, and hiking. Says Alan, “It’s been really special for me to see people appreciate it as much as we did. We have one gentleman who’s been a member for 22 years.”
Yet even with the success of the Fishing Camp, over time the Strasslers increasingly felt it was time to shift the stewardship of Palmer Brook to another owner with the intention and capability to keep the property intact and maintained to the high standard they had set for themselves over the years. “My parents felt they’d spent some of the best years of their lives here. None of us wanted it developed,” says Alan. But finding the right buyer was a challenge for a number of reasons. There aren’t that many individuals or organizations that have the wherewithal. Many charitable organizations as well as the state are reluctant to acquire a building and take on the liability involved in owning a large earthen dam. “My dad and uncle always felt a great deal of responsibility for the dam. Although it’s not required, we use an engineer to do all inspections; and rather than every two years, we do them annually.” He added they have routinely completed any recommended maintenance and improvements and always passed their dam inspections.
The agreement with Mass Audubon came about as a result of a chance conversation Alan had with someone he had worked with at the Nature Conservancy who mentioned that Mass Audubon was looking to acquire large parcels of land for preservation. That contact reached out to Mass Audubon, who then reached out to Alan; discussions began, and the option-to-purchase sale agreement was eventually signed in August. Says Alan, “I think the family couldn’t be happier to see it preserved, and we are just thrilled that Mass Audubon is buying it.”
Readers interested in helping Mass Audubon close the gap on its funding efforts to purchase Palmer Brook can go to www.massaudubon.org/our-work/resilient-lands/land-conservation/news-project-updates/urgent-land-project-protecting- palmer-brook-in-becket.
