Chronology of Public Concern for Scenic Resources in Hanover

Last Content Update:

  • 1922: Hanover Improvement Society established
  • 1957: Town report called "Hanover Plans Ahead"
  • 1961: First town-wide zoning ordinance - contained non-specific idea of a greenbelt of open spaces to surround the urban core of the town "to provide recreation and breathing space".
  • 1963: Hanover Conservation Council established
  • 1966: Hanover Conservation Commission established, with fund to buy open space lands. Required by state law to keep "an index of all open space and natural, aesthetic or ecological areas within the...town..." (RSA 36-A)
  • 1971: The 600-member Hanover Conservation Council raised $51,000 to purchase summit of Balch Hill, 14 acres of South Esker.
  • 1973: First year of state-mandated Current Use Program (RSA 79-A)
  • 1974: Majority of respondees (54%) to town survey identified need for protection of open space in Hanover
  • 1975: First Master Plan - recommended extension of the greenbelt.
  • 1975: Etna-Hanover Center Study Committee proposed the "Natural Areas Network" of conservation and recreation trails and un-maintained roads.
  • 1979: Hanover's Greensboro Road Valley study cited significance of local landscape.
  • 1984: 57% of respondees to town survey wanted greater protection for town's open space lands.
  • 1985: Upper Valley Land Trust established to "help people conserve land."
  • 1994: 90% of surveyed town residents identified "scenery" as a quality they most valued about Hanover. 84% identified "access to outdoor recreation" and "uncrowded living spaces". The majority cited "great need" or "some need" for increased protection of open space lands.
  • 1995: Hanover Community Profile (Upper Valley 2001 and Beyond report) underscored the value of the landscape and open space.
  • 1997: Scenic Locales Committee appointed to identify, prioritize and find protection methods for important locales in the local landscape
  • 1998: Master Plan revision (draft) cites as its second goal the greenbelt as part of the open space protection program.