Issue Seven Spring 2021

ley’s Hill – some 27-plus acres surrounding Bear Pond,
from Willow to Flash Roads—had a different destiny.
This area was never actually in military control,
but it was used for military exercises. In the 1960s, it
was the largest undeveloped area remaining in Nahant.
By the late 1980s, its future as open space was uncertain.
For many years, residents considered the lands around Bear
Pond ideally suited for a golf course. In 1929, a group of
investors attempted to formalize all golfing activities there
and they configured a 9-hole course called “Mid-Ocean
Links.” But the market crash, the ensuing Depression, and
the expansion of military installations on neighboring Bailey’s
Hill during World War II soon left Mid-Ocean languishing.
It was only in 1964 that the Town voted to transfer
this area to a private entity for $1 in return for its development
and perpetual operation as a public golf course. Over
the years, the golf course both changed hands and names.
In 1972, the Conigliaro family bought the Drumquill Golf
course, and Nahanters enjoyed seeing Redsox players Tony
C. and Billy C. golfing there.
Later, the Conigliaro family leased the golf course to Sea
Gaels Inc., with an option for later purchase. For a short
while, Nahanters happily golfed under that name. In 1985,
Sea Gaels Inc. decided to buy the golf course property and
continue to invest in it. However, just a few years later,
there was an unsolicited inquiry from another party who
expressed interest in purchasing the property. With talk of
the golf course changing hands again, the Finance Committee
and the Board of Selectmen were determined to keep the
area as open space.
They worked at great speed to put the entire area back under
the control of the Town. They prepared two warrant
articles for Town vote on saving the area as open, recreational
space; they hired appraisers and surveyors; they
consulted with real estate professionals, and at the recommendation
of the Conservation Commission Chair, Gene
Canty, they retained Gregor McGregor, an environmental
lawyer who was an expert in wetlands protections. Leading
the team were Selectmen Charlie Kelley, Fin. Com.
Chairman Michael Manning, and lawyer Jeff Musman.
A Special Town Meeting was soon organized for the evening
of October 17, 1988. The meeting went so late that it
was voted to continue on another evening, but not without
leaving the Town’s chief negotiators with a clear direction
to find the best solution possible for the Town. It was
towards the end of that meeting that the idea of eminent
domain was first raised. When a motion on Town Hall
floor was amended to give the Selectmen the added authority
to acquire the land either by a negotiated purchase
or taking by eminent domain, there was a roar of approval
of those in attendance.
Negotiations were ultimately successful without relying
upon eminent domain. But saving Nahant’s golf
course was bittersweet. Between the continued sessions
of the Special Town Meeting, beloved Selectman
Charlie Kelley died suddenly. The course was rightly
named “Kelley Greens” in his honor and memory.
Today hundreds of people annually are able to enjoy Kelley
Greens and each year the course hosts several men’s, women’s
and youth leagues. A fifteen-member Town committee
oversees the course. Many people from other towns enjoy
this sea-side, public 9-hole course. In addition to the golfing,
the Club House offers dinners, a bar, and seasonal social
events. Sometimes when Kelley Greens floods, people
drag out their kayaks to explore Bear Pond. Rare birds can
often be spotted feeding in its wetlands. From airplanes and
drones, this large portion remains an enviable wide-open
space, proudly occupying the center of the island. There is
hardly anyone in Nahant who regrets this communal effort
to save Kelley Greens for current and future generations
and to make it a jewel in the crown of Nahant’s open spaces.
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