Dear fellow Hanoverians:<\/p>\n
Wildlands Trust, the regional land trust for southeastern Massachusetts,
\nhas announced a fundraising effort to preserve the historic Sylvester
\nField, one of Hanover\u2019s most beloved and iconic landscapes. Situated
\nalong Washington Street in a historically rich part of Hanover known as
\n\u201cFour Corners\u201d, the Sylvester Field is one of Hanover\u2019s most visible
\nand appreciated landscapes. <\/p>\n
Wildlands Trust has entered into a “Purchase and Sales” agreement to
\nacquire the field from the estate of Clayton Robinson, the late owner who
\npassed away in March 2020. Wildlands Trust will manage the field as a
\nconservation resource and leave it open to the public for passive
\nrecreation.<\/p>\n
Sylvester Field has a wide range of aesthetic, agricultural, ecological,
\nand historical attributes. It has been in some type of agricultural use
\nsince early colonial times; recently, its productive soils have supported
\nthe harvesting of hay, and for several decades in the mid-twentieth
\ncentury, the roaming of Hornstra Farm cows. Sylvester Field supports
\nnumerous common wildlife species and many rare species, including Eastern
\nbox turtle and several species of ground nesting birds. The property also
\nincludes 660 feet of frontage on Third Herring Brook, an important North
\nRiver tributary. <\/p>\n
Sylvester Field is the centerpiece of a larger expanse once owned by
\nWilliam Barstow, believed to be the first European settler in the area in
\nthe mid-17th century when Hanover was part of the Town of Scituate. Mr.
\nBarstow\u2019s pursuits included land surveying, shipbuilding, constructing
\nthe first bridge across the nearby North River, and serving as the
\nproprietor of an \u201cordinary\u201d\u2014a tavern that served meals at a fixed
\nprice. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a one-time opportunity to preserve the field,\u201d said Karen
\nGrey, Wildlands Trust President. \u201cThis is our first fundraising effort
\nin Hanover, and we couldn\u2019t imagine a more compelling project to become
\ninvolved with,\u201d said Grey. <\/p>\n
A committee of Hanover residents is helping to lead the local fundraising
\nwith Wildlands Trust. Members of the committee include Caleb Estabrooks,
\nPeter Finnegan, Marilyn Hartney, Dan Jones, Maura Longueil, Anne and Tim
\nPorter, Hal Thomas, Peter and Paula Tyack, Sandra Moll, Cindy Newton and
\nJulie Traggorth.<\/p>\n
The Town of Hanover is a project partner, and at the next Town Meeting in
\nMay will seek to approve $250,000 in Community Preservation Act funds to
\npurchase a Conservation Restriction (\u201cCR\u201d) on the Sylvester Field. The
\nTown-held CR over the Field will allow for a range of passive recreational
\nactivities such as hiking and cross-country skiing and will include
\nprovisions allowing for a trailhead parking area. The CR will also allow
\nfor habitat management, improvement, and restoration, as well as the
\nmaintenance of the stone wall that is such a prominent feature of its road
\nfrontage. <\/p>\n
Wildlands Trust needs to raise $150,000 in private funds by May 15th to
\nensure that they can close on the Field by the specified closing date of
\nJune 30. They have a generous match opportunity for gifts $5,000 and
\nunder. Please visit www.wildlandstrust.org if you would like more
\ninformation about the Wildlands Trust. Please consider a donation; the
\ndonation page is found here:
\nhttp:\/\/atotw.com\/maillist\/lt.php?tid=i1+7MDUuOBmOHeFHamF3KtP8RQ050W+JiNy9ufdqJv5oqLt7nDPIRqoN783ZLADJ
\n. For more information, please contact schamberlain@wildlandstrust.org .<\/p>\n
For “Around Town on the Web”,
\nCathy H-B<\/p>\n
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Dear fellow Hanoverians: Wildlands Trust, the regional land trust for southeastern Massachusetts, has announced a fundraising effort to preserve the historic Sylvester Field, one of Hanover\u2019s most beloved and iconic landscapes. Situated along Washington Street in a historically rich part … Continue reading