Roger's Dell
The Rogers Dell conservation property is owned by the Town of Andover Conservation Commission. It is 0.7 acres. This property is open to the public. There are no trails on the property.[1] Named for a 17th century Native American who retained fishing rights in the brook sited on that parcel, the property came to be owned by prominent Central Street resident Mary Byers Smith. In 1933, Smith donated the land to the Andover Village Improvement Society (AVIS) in 1933. Despite her efforts to keep local residents from dumping trash on the land, by 1933, the location was full of mattresses, bedsprings and significant piles of trash. In 1933, AVIS won $10 from a Boston Herald sponsored Roadside Beautification contest and used the funds to begin "removing debris and giving nature a chance." Irises and shrubs were planted by volunteers at that time.[2] Article 29 of the March 1960 Annual Town Meeting proposed that the Town of Andover receive the parcel of land as a gift from A.V.I.S.. The measure passed, passing official stewardship of the parcel to the Town of Andover.[3]
In 1984, 83 year old Andover resident, Louise Van Everan spearheaded a local committee to clean up the dumping ground on the property. She was awarded a plaque by the Andover Conservation Commission and the Appalachian Mountain Club's Boston Chapter for her work.[4] [5]
In 2021, Andover High School senior, McKenna Alardi organized a cleanup effort for Roger's Dell as part of a school-sponsored Environmental Sustainability Intership in town. [6]
References
- ↑ MassTrails.org Roger's Dell, Andover MA
- ↑ AVIS holds annual meeting The Andover Townsman November 16, 1934.
- ↑ 1960, Annual Report of the Town of Andover Mass
- ↑ Lewis, Diane E. Andover Woman, 83 is Honored for Turning a Dump Into a Park, Boston Globe May 29, 1984.
- ↑ Casanave, Marilyn Roger's Dell Polishing a Gem The Andover Townsman May 17, 1984.
- ↑ Hughes, Madelyn AHS senior spruces up Roger's Dell The Eagle Tribune May 10, 2021.