PRESERVING HANOVER'S NATURAL BEAUTY
I doubt if there is any view of Hanover more beautiful than that from Balch Hill. One looks down from the open crest over a stand of pasture pine precipitously to the flowing fields of the Hanover Plain and the settlement above the river. It isn't Dante's Overlook above Death Valley, nor the Toro sweep over the Grand Canyon—one sees a small college in a graceful valley, much loved. Dawn or day or twilight the peaceful scene changes as the sun changes, as the seasons shift their colors, and new decades bring new settlers.
Fortunately for us all—students, dwellers, returning alumni—the top of Balch, that 10.3 acres of glen and open sky, has been preserved for public use. It was recently bought from the Garipay heirs through the unyielding efforts of the Hanover Conservation Council and the wide and generous support of alumni and residents. Together with another piece—the South Esker—and the already purchased Angelo Tanzi Wild Area on Mink Brook, old Balch becomes a new park.
Many alumni will remember Balch Hill all bald and white in winter. In the early thirties it was—hard to believethe site of our Carnival ski races.
For years since then, Balch has seen mostly student picnics in spring, Fullington's cows in summer, and occasional parties of touring skiers in winter. The cows are gone. Hence the Conservation Council will have to provide some continuing way to hold back New Hampshire's overwhelming brush. But that beautiful vista remains.
The second park is riverside—a section of Hanover's backbone esker overlooking the Connecticut just south of the mouth of Mink Brook. Here are two flat points, well favored for canoe camping, facing out on Gilman Island (formerly Nigger Island), and back of these are other higher benches and pine-needled ravines. All is deep in mature trees, but open enough for picnicking or walking in the zebra lights of hemlock and birch. Doubtless the esker will continue its traditional purpose. Hiking here one comes upon two ancient fallen-down lean-tos, and one very modern, rickety roofless log cabin, 4' by 5', the work of the eternal Huck Finns and Jims among us hiding out from parents and the slave trade of school.
The South Esker too was slated for development, lot stakes were in and a road laid out. But then the owner, a Tuck School professor, suddenly persuaded himself (in a very uncomputerized decision-making process) that man does not live by GNP alone. He optioned 14 excellent acres to the Council and they have raised most of the money.
It takes a certain genius to look ahead, much more to raise the money. We take for granted the visions of the men who, three generations ago, dammed up Occom Pond, built the golf course, and stole Pine Park out from under the axes of the Diamond Match Co. Similarly moved, the Hanover Conservation Council, has already raised $41,000 to buy these new parks. They will need another $10,000 to finish the job, set up orderly maintenance, and prepare for future chances.
Perhaps there are alumni who would like to share in the work of establishing such permanent pieces of old Hanover. Their support would be gratefully received. They should be warned however that they join forces with all impractical, visionary, unliberated and unreconstructable hardcore do-gooders in town.
The South Esker overlooking the Connecticut River is part of a 14-acre tract the HanoverConservation Council has arranged to purchase for preservation.
View from Balch Hill looking south to Mt. Ascutney. Dark ridge in foreground is part of Velvet Rocks.
Another view from the crest of Balch Hill, looking northeast toward Moose Mountain
The South Esker park as seen from the river. Gilman Island to the right.
The open expanse at the top of Balch Hill has long been a favorite spot forpicnics, hiking, and sunning. It commands a sweeping view of the town ofHanover and of the hills and mountains of Vermont to the west.
