After nearly two years of nail-biting discussions, the Ozaukee Washington Land Trust recently finalized a deal to purchase the Squires Country Club, which has operated as a golf course since 1930.  This 143-acre parcel of land lies primarily in the town of Belgium, with some acreage overlapping into the town of Port Washington.  At one point, the Land Trust almost lost their bid to a land developer, but were able to start negotiations again after that deal fell through.  The Land Trust believes it will take anywhere from four to five years to restore the golf course to its original natural state.  Some of the buildings (including the clubhouse and some sheds) will stay on the land for use as meeting places for the trust as well as a place for other organizations to utilize.  The land’s access to Lake Michigan makes it a great place for visitors to launch a kayak or spend the day enjoying the water.  While there are plans to allow trails for hiking, the land will remain primarily untouched once it is returned to its natural state so that the animals that inhabit the area, including migratory birds, have a place to live.  It’s also considered a win for the public to be able to enjoy the land’s natural beauty as well as have natural access to Lake Michigan.