BRUNSWICK

While debating what to call almost 600 acres of open recreational space at Brunswick Landing, town officials found out what’s in a name Monday.

In addition to ratifying what activity will be permitted — limited hunting, hiking, bicycling — and what will not — horseback riding, leashless dogs — on land recently returned to the town by the U.S. Navy, town councilors also voted 5-3 to name it the Kate Furbish Preserve.

Although born in New Hampshire, Furbish moved to Brunswick with her parents at a very young age and lived here for the rest of her life, until she died in 1931.

Her work as a botanist to identify, categorize and depict native Maine flora earned her national recognition and fame.

Councilors David Watson, Gerald Favreau and chairwoman Suzan Wilson cast the opposing votes. They sided with a faction of the public who contend that it should be named in memory of people whose land was annexed to build the former air base.

“My history in the town of Brunswick started in 1718 when David Givens moved (here) with his family,” said Harpswell resident Helene Bisson. “I am a descendent of David Givens and we did live on that property there, near the golf course, for seven generations in a house that was taken by the Navy.”

Bisson said she was a teenager when it happened.

“I think there needs to be something to maybe help us heal from everything that was taken from us,” she added.

Potential names were researched by a team of Brunswick High School students, submitted for popular opinion on a page of the town’s website, and recommended by one of four committees each charged with developing the new preserve’s use guidelines.

In each instance, the Furbish name was the preferred choice.

Councilor Benet Pols explained that the naming committee was hesitant to use names already common to the Mid-coast, such as Merriconeag or Maquoit or Middle Bay.

Pols countering Favreau’s contention that Furbish wasn’t really “from” Brunswick.

“As far as Kate Furbish goes, she traveled the state to do her work because that’s the nature of the work,” Pols said. “She was definitely a Brunswick person, and bred and died and buried in the ground.”

Councilors and members of the use committee favored other methods of recognizing the former landowners, such as plaques or signs placed along trails or viewing areas inside the preserve.