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By Rachel Borman
Hometown Weekly Correspondent
One thousand white pine saplings were planted in the Walpole Town Forest on Sunday, May 1, in honor of the forest’s 100th Anniversary.
The first tree was put down by Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. This was reminiscent of the original 1916 ceremony, where the initial tree was planted by one of Polito’s most famous predecessors – Lieutenant Governor Calvin Coolidge who went on to serve as the 30th U.S. President.
Established by notable Walpole residents such as Charles Bird, Jr. and George Plimpton, the Walpole Town Forest remains unique in the state of Massachusetts as one of few municipal forests functioning as both a recreational and commercial vehicle for its town.
The ceremony began with the Presentation of Colors by Walpole Boy Scouts, the Pledge of Allegiance by Walpole Girl Scouts, the singing of the National Anthem by Walpole High School students Jessica Giffen and Bobby Waters, and the reading of two nature-themed poems by Walpole resident Nancy Tupper Ling.
Steve Cyr, Town Forest Committee President, shared some of Charles Bird’s rationale for the forest:
“At a time when industry was expanding and timber resources became ever more depleted, Mr. Bird recognized a need to establish a communal forest, a commercial forest,” Cyr said. “A forest that provides not only recreational opportunities, but a forest that can forever provide the town with a sustainable source of lumber and an assured source of income.”
Today, the Forest offers trails for hiking, birding, biking, and fishing. It protects the town’s drinking water supply while providing a natural wildlife habitat. It also continues to provide a modest revenue stream. Over 65,000 board feet of lumber were harvested this year, translating into $5,000 returned to the town.
Other state officials in attendance were Senator James Timilty, Representative Shawn Dooley, Representative Louis Kafka, Representative Paul McMurtry, and Representative John Rogers.
Rogers announced that earlier this week, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate adopted resolutions to join with Lieutenant Governor Polito in celebrating the 100th anniversary of the planting of the first town forest in 1916. The full text of the resolutions is available through the Walpole Historical Commission.
Additional leaders present included Clifton Snuffer, Chairman of the Walpole Board of Selectmen and representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Massachusetts Tree Farm Association and the Junior Women’s Club of Walpole.
The Junior Women’s Club of Walpole donated $2,000 to be used for new signage and a bench in the Town Forest.
In addition to the formal ceremony remarks and the planting of the saplings, a 100th Anniversary Plaque was unveiled and attendees received tee shirts and commemorative pins.
There were also horse-drawn wagon rides along one of the forest trails, displays of antique wood working tools and artwork donated by Walpole students, wood carving demonstrations, and stations for decorating tree cookies and flower pots.
