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 The Mary Flynn Trail in Stockbridge, maintained by the Laurel Hill Association. |
Laurel Hill Association Celebrates 158 YearsNichole Dupont
iBerkshires Staff
02:07PM / Friday, August 27, 2010
Photo by Candy Childrey
The Laurel Hill Association started as a village beautification group and now maintains and protects some of Stockbridge's historic and recreation spots, such as the Ice Glen cave. |
STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — On a rainy day in 1853, Mary Hopkins Goodrich, great-granddaughter of Stockbridge missionary founder John Sergeant, rode out on her horse to pay homage to her great-grandparents’ graves.
What she found was deplorable.
The graves were in shambles and a cow grazed openly and brazenly on the grass between the tombstones. Goodrich was so appalled that she posted a notice on Aug. 23 that year calling for a meeting of citizens concerned with the state of the town. So began the Laurel Hill Association, the oldest existing village improvement society in the United States.
The New York Times often commented on the association, noting that Mrs. Goodrich was honored at its 40th annual meeting: "This society has kept the village of Stockbridge in fine condition for many years, and it is now one of the most beautiful villages in New England. "
On Saturday, Aug. 28, the association will hold its 158th Laurel Hill Day at 2 p.m. at the rostrum on Laurel Hill, behind Town Hall on Main Street.
"This day isn't necessarily a celebration," said Patricia Flinn, the association's records keeper. "It's our observance of the founding of our organization. The mission is a very simple one; to improve the quality of life and the environment in the Town of Stockbridge."
Over the years the association, in collaboration with other environmental entities such as the Trustees of Reservations, the Land Trust and the town itself, has maintained (and in some cases purchased) lands in the town in order to preserve and improve the local environment.
"Over the years the association has acquired 400 acres of property in town," Flinn said. "And even though the town owns Ice Glen, we maintain the trails. We also rent out the golf course, our biggest property. We plant the flowers at the post office every year and maintain the cat and dog fountain. Anything we do is for the benefit of the town."
And for its residents. Association President Janice Shields, as a Stockbridge resident, understands the importance of the mission.
"I've been president for about 18 months; a member since 2005,” Shields said. "I joined soon after I bought the property here on Park Street. My home is surrounded by Laurel Hill properties. [It abuts] the Housatonic River, where the Goodrich foot bridge spans the river leading to the Mary Flynn Trail, Ice Glen and the trail leading to Laura's Tower. I felt I wanted to contribute to the organization that maintains all these beautiful properties."
The association's most recent undertaking is a piece of property across the street from the Berkshire Botanical Garden, known simply as the Four Corners.
Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce
It's not just land; the group also cares for the cat and dog fountain among other landmarks. |
"This year, in collaboration with the Stockbridge Land Trust, we purchased a 57-acre parcel of land at the westerly entrance to town,” she said. "It will help maintain the green corridor at the entrances to our town. Eventually we hope to offer public access to the property with hiking trails (and possibly biking) ... as we have traditionally done with our other properties in town."
While keeping Stockbridge green and beautiful is the association's top priority, educating its citizens has also become part of the initial "green" mission.
"Although we are very local we've also begun to think globally," Flinn said. "We've had speakers who speak to climate issues and the environment because these things affect the people in Stockbridge as they do all over the world. We want to promote ideas that have an impact elsewhere."
This is precisely why, according to Shields, the association has invited Robert Leverett, co-founder and executive director of the Eastern Native Tree Society, to speak Saturday. The ENTS is a forest and tree advocacy organization devoted to scientific research, tree modeling and measurement, education, and general enjoyment of forests and trees. Leverett is also the co-founder and president of the Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest, an officially-recognized Friends organization for the state's forests and parks.
"I'm fascinated to hear his talk. The walk through Ice Glen to see some of the trees he has inventoried will be the highlight for me," she said.
For more information on the Laurel Hill Association and Saturday’s observance, call 413-298-5595.
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