It’s where teens gathered for bonfires and beer and where hikers and dog walkers took in sweeping vistas of the Kennebecasis River along trails that wound through blueberry bushes and thickets of pine to the highest, most panoramic viewpoint in the land. The storied 85 acres known as the Spyglass Hill properties have a history tied to the most monied family dynasties of the town of Rothesay – the Irvings, the Crosbys, the Olands. When the prestigious parcels of land went up for sale last year for $3-million – put on the market by Dennis Oland – locals were vocal about the loss of a treasured green space and requested that the town council preserve the land for public use.

The town received letters from concerned residents, worried that the popular dog-walking area would be developed and become inaccessible. Some requested that the town buy it, and one councillor suggested holding a public meeting to discuss it. But such an acquisition was too steep.

The well-heeled town had plenty of green space already, said deputy mayor Matt Alexander at a town council meeting on Feb. 13, 2023, and furthermore, he added, the owners had expressed concerns with people trespassing, tearing down signage and littering on their private land. Instead, another prominent family with connections to the industry in New Brunswick and Alberta snapped it up to build an expansive estate with spectacular views of the river.

It sold under asking price, for $2,225,000 to a numbered company (744863 NB.