The Dover Land Conservation Trust (DLCT) is working to protect 8.5 acres of beautiful woodlands on Pine Street from development. Located on one of the oldest scenic roads in Dover, the land has been owned by the Dover Church since 1875 and was used historically as a pastor’s wood lot and for occasional outdoor services. Walking trails cross the property and connect it with over 100 acres of protected land on Snow Hill, Dover’s highest point. The land is situated right on Pine Street and near a scenic pond.
The Dover Church placed the property on the market in December and immediately attracted bids from developers. The DLCT responded quickly, making its own bid with the goal of preserving the land in perpetuity as open space, for the benefit of and use by the public. As part of the agreement, the Dover Church will retain the right to hold occasional outdoor services on the property, and the DLCT is open to accommodating other groups as well.
The land trust launched its fundraising project in January, when its $800,000 offer for the land was accepted by the Dover Church, and it hopes to complete the project in April. Funds need to be raised in full by the end of March.
“Thanks to generous contributions from neighbors and others in town," said DLCT President Tom French, "we have some good early fundraising momentum, but still have work to do to close the gap. With a bit of luck and continued support from residents of Dover and neighboring towns, we are hopeful we can pull it off.”
Interested residents can visit the DLCT website at http://www.doverlandtrust.org/pinestreet/ to learn more about this project and to donate online.
It is also possible to send donations by mail to Dover Land Conservation Trust, PO Box 562, Dover, MA 02030, specifying that donations are to support the purchase of the Pine Street property.
French concluded by noting that “it is really gratifying to see neighbors and the broader town of Dover rally to save this beautiful and historic land from development. Places like this are what make our town special. We need work hard to keep them from disappearing since once they are gone, they are gone forever.”
