City adds 20 acres for neighborhood hillside trails, open space

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Lafayette, in partnership with John Muir Land Trust, has added 20 acres of open space to its inventory of natural parkland with the purchase at the end of last month of the "Batwing" property - the rambling hillside property located at 3333 Hamlin Road, so-called because its shape when mapped out resembles a flying bat.

The property sits between St. Mary's Road and Sweet Drive, roughly halfway between Stanley Middle School and Buckeye Fields. Once offered for sale for residential development, the property is now guaranteed to remain a permanent nature park with walking trails open to everyone.