THE PINE PARK

The Trustees of Dartmouth College and the Hanover Village Precinct have come, through the kind generosity of the shareholders of the Pine Park Association, into the joint possession in trust of the one hundred acres of beautiful pine forest lying on the bank of the Connecticut River, from the Hitchcock estate to the Vale of Tempe. This woodland tract is to be kept as a public park, for the benefit of the members of the College and of the Precinct. It is to be controlled and managed by a Park Commission of three men, one chosen by the College, one by the Precinct, and a third appointed by the first two commissioners.

The original park property was purchased in 1900 to complete a plan for preserving the pine growth on the river bank from the bridge to the Vale of Tempe. The lower section was owned by the Hitchcock estate and by interested private landholders. The lots on what is now Occom Ridge, bought by the College from the Morse farm, were to be sold under restrictions as to the cutting of timber. Above these lots came the property of the Country Club, and then a tract of forty-eight acres, well covered with beautiful and valuable pine timber, extending just beyond the mouth of the Vale of Tempe. This lastnamed section was, in 1900, in danger of beind sold to lumber companies. An association of public-spirited citizens, among whom Professor Colby and Mr. C. P. Chase were the prime movers, was formed for the purpose of buying this land for public park uses. A sum of $4200 was paid for its purchase. Mr. H. A. Wilder and Mr. Robert T. Smith were generous non-resident contributors to the fund; later Mr. Edward Tuck gave $1000 for the maintenance of the park. The total contributions amounted to $5500.

Last year, the bequest of Mrs. Hitchcock added forty-five acres of valuable forest, making nearly one hundred in all. This entire property has now been put under the joint management and control of the College and the Precinct. The former stockholders turned over their individual holdings to a board of trustees with power to act in their behalf in carrying out their purpose. The Hanover representatives in the Legislature secured the passage of a bill authorizing the Precinct to enter into the joint arrangement with the College, to elect one or more commissioners to represent the Precinct, and to make such by-laws as should be deemed proper to govern the action of the commissioners.

The value to the College and the town of this gift cannot be overestimated. It is one of the most beautiful natural spots in Hanover; the walk known as "Cathedral Pines", the charming view of the river and hills from the mouth of the ale, and the steep, pine-grown banks behind Occom Ridge are attractions seldom found within the limits of a college town. Protection against the possible denudation of this land for commercial purposes is now perpetually assured.