Naming Rockville's New Preserve

In a previous post I did some early publicity for the Manchester Land Conservation Trust’s (MLCT) new property in Rockville off Pleasant Street.

Since then there have been announcements and articles in all the local news outlets. I’ve also had the opportunity to walk the property with the steward and other members of the MLCT, as well as do additional research on the property and its relationship to Rockville’s water system. See webpage.

Google 3D image of MCLT's Rockville preserve.They own almost 16 wooded acres at the center.

The land trust is requesting public input for naming the preserve. You have the opportunity to select a name that is meaningful to Rockville; a name that connects the property to the city. It might reflect an historical person, the location of the property, a name used a century ago, or a description of the property.

But you have only through this Wednesday, February 15, to submit your vote. Here are a few of the names that have votes and a bit of background on them:

1- Pleasant Street Preserve - The property is accessed from the end of Pleasant Street so this name reflects its location.

2- Loom City Preserve - Reflects Rockville’s nickname.

3- McLean Hill Preserve - Francis McLean was one of the first mill developers on the upper Hockanum River, including paper mill development. It was probably McLean that built a reservoir for his mills on what is now MCLT property.

4- Stickney Hill Preserve - John Stickney was a mill and land owner in the mid to late 1800’s succeeding McLean. His home was on Pine Street above Amerbelle, and thus the area became known as Stickney Hill. He owned the paper mills on Paper Mill Pond, was a deacon of the church and very involved in the early development of Rockville. His daughter Carolyn wrote a book in 1904 describing in detail her years growing up in Rockville in the 1850’s.

5- Corbin’s Woods Preserve - The Corbin family owned the property at one time also.

You can suggest other names but have to receive a majority of votes by Wednesday. Send your vote to [email protected] or visit the posting on www.facebook.com/Manchesterlandtrust.