On July 16, 1970 — two days after county residents voted to raise their own taxes to buy this land — bulldozers began uprooting trees to replace this forest with 309 houses. The development plan failed because of a fight waged by hundreds of local residents. It proved a life-changing event for many involved and a case study in citizen action.
The landowner, Edward Burling, died in 1967. His heirs tried selling the 336-acre Burling Tract property for use as a park. That failing, a developer bought it. Nearby homeowners learned of the housing-development plans, and a 16-month battle ensued. Outcry at public meetings, petition drives, a referendum vote, an injuction, media coverage, protest songs, and financial pledges finally overcame political foot shuffling. The will of local citizens prevailed. Burling Tract became Scotts Run Nature Preserve because people like you cared.
Think of all the kids who just see fences
Think of all the kids who could see gates
Land is gone before you even know it
Save the Burling Tract before it's too late
Protest song by Susan Daniel 1970 Langley High School student
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