You Helped Us Save Sylvester Field!
You Helped Us Save Sylvester Field! What’s next?
In July 2021, in collaboration with the Town of Hanover, Wildlands Trust completed the purchase and permanent protection of one of the region’s most beloved and iconic properties: Sylvester Field (formerly known to locals as Robinson Field), located off Washington Street, near Hanover Four Corners. Hundreds of individual donors made this possible, collectively raising half of the $700,000 cost of the land in just six months! We had a rare opportunity to purchase this highly-valuable parcel of open space in Hanover, and we had to act quickly – we couldn’t have done it alone! The preservation of Sylvester Field was successful because of the generosity of all who contributed to this campaign.
But our work is not done. Sylvester Field still needs your help!
The next important step is to improve accessibility for public enjoyment of the land. We need to create a parking area, trailhead, signage, and maps for this new preserve. Currently, there is no parking available on Washington Street, limiting preserve access to those who live in the immediate area and are able to walk there. If visitors do attempt to park along the property's stone wall, it poses a threat to both this historic structure and the nearby vegetation, and it impedes traffic on the narrow road, which is designated a scenic byway in the Town of Hanover. Wildlands’ planned parking area and signage will significantly enhance public access to Sylvester Field for recreation and exercise, while maintaining the scenic and ecological values of the land.
These needed enhancements, in addition to ongoing maintenance and annual mowing of the field, are costly. Although we reached our goal to “Save Sylvester Field,” we continue to seek donations to help us set up the preserve and steward the land. We need your continued support to fulfill the community’s vision for Sylvester Field. Please donate today!
Thank you!
For more information about Wildlands’ purchase of Sylvester Field, click here.
Have questions? Check out our FAQ page here