Vernon Land Donated to Trust for Open Space

VERNON, CT — A 15.9-acre parcel featuring forest land, rocky ledges and hillsides in the Rockville section of Vernon has been donated to the Manchester Land Conservation Trust for use as open space.

The trust announced the acquisition on Tuesday.

Richard Lee and Stephen Lamont presented the property to the land trust in December.

The entrance to the property is at the eastern end of Pleasant Street, in the northeast part of Rockville.

Volunteers are in the process of creating a trail, and a tour of the property will be scheduled in the spring, land trust officials said.

Manchester Land Conservation Trust’s Stewardship Chairman, Colin McNamara, said, “The preserve’s varied terrain will offer something for everyone, right in urban Rockville.”

Rob Lewis, a volunteer steward of the property, said he envisions a loop trail starting from Pleasant Street and meandering around the property.

“It will be a place to unwind and get a little exercise,” he said.

Local historian Jon Roe said there was "a very early" iron mine and foundry in the area that go back to the early 1700s, but the exact location is undiscovered. An 1877 map of the area seems to show houses at the top of the hill, which was known at one time as Stickney Hill, he said.

The land trust is soliciting the public’s help in naming this 15.9 acres, and has considered “Pleasant Hill” and “Stickney Hill.” Residents can vote for either of the names or create their own, and email entries to info@manchesterlandtrust.org. Neighbors of the parcel especially encouraged to participate, Roe said.

A current picture of the parcel, a map and old postcard have been released by the land trust.

The Manchester Land Conservation Trust, is an all-volunteer nonprofit conservation organization, founded in 1972. It owns 450 open-space acres in Manchester, Vernon, Andover, Bolton, East Hartford, and Glastonbury. More info and a list of properties: www.manchesterlandtrust.org. Volunteers are also needed for property maintenance.

Photo Credit: Susan Barlow, Manchester Land Conservation Trust