The Hanover Open Space Committee was chartered to ensure that the town's rural character is maintained and enhanced both through protection of existing resources and acquisition of new properties. Toward that end, a formal Open Space Plan, written by the committee, has received draft approval from the state. This plan provides eligibility for state grants for land acquisition, the primary goal of the committee. Another key goal is to increase awareness and usage of the beautiful property already owned by the town. This article is the first in a series provided to highlight some notable Hanover open space and to make it easy to visit.

The Colby Phillips property is a 135 acre parcel which provides what is probably the most alluring walk on public land in Hanover. The best access is off the dead end section of Circuit St. which extends past the fire station at the intersection of Pleasant St., Circuit St. and Rte 139. Park at the dead end cul-de-sac and walk a short distance up the street to the town owned access. A wide dirt road on the left passes between 959 (a shingled house with red trim) and 969 (a white house). This road turns into a path which passes the private Darling Cemetery, with stones dating to the early 1800s.

This walk now follows a beautiful, clear trail over a small brook and then nearly three-quarters of a mile through an open forest of mixed pines, hemlocks, and beech trees. It had been nearly fifteen years since I last walked this land and I immediately regretted my long absence. The bright sun filtered through openings in the canopy as the forest varied from dense evergreens to mostly open hardwood saplings providing a pleasant diversity. My young daughter raced ahead on the easily followed path, captivated by the myriad of bird calls.

The land is mostly high and easily traversed at all but the wettest times of the year. Several small offshoot paths lead to still quieter destinations including a grove of large holly trees. Our walk ended as the trail reached a stream which could probably be crossed in mid summer. The open marshland was home to many ducks who took to flight on my daughters boisterous arrival. A quieter approach would have surely brought us to an ideal bird watching vantage point.

After an undisturbed picnic lunch overlooking the peaceful marsh, we wandered back along the trail, checking any side routes she selected. By the time we reached Circuit street again it seemed amazing that I had never left Hanover. For anyone wondering why we need to protect the limited open space remaining in our town, you need only experience the serenity of this walk.

Canoeing Across Hanover

The Hanover Open Space Committee was chartered to ensure that the town’s rural character is maintained and enhanced both through protection of existing resources and acquisition of new properties. This article is the next in a series provided to highlight some notable Hanover open space and to make it easy to visit. Please note that the Hanover Open Space Committee reminds all visitors to be respectful of the private property that abuts town owned land.

Over the course of several articles, we have covered many of the best nature walks in Hanover. For a change of pace, we will now take to the water. Within our relatively small town, a continuous voyage through winding streams, open marshes, large ponds and aggressive whitewater awaits the adventuresome traveler. Mid spring is typically the best time for this trip as the water is high enough to permit passage throughout the route. An old friend and I set out one Saturday in April this year under ideal conditions. However, a word of caution in this year of bizarre weather is appropriate. Parts of this route can be very hazardous in high water. The recent tragedy near Ludham’s Ford should remind us that even the most experienced boaters must be wary of extreme conditions.

While the aggressive bushwhacker can actually start on Longwater Brook at the High School, our trip begins at Route 139, just east of Plain Street, where the Drinkwater River passes under the street. Setting the canoe over the guardrail and walking down an easy grade, a convenient flat water put in is available. While this access is quite commonly used, you should remember that it is not town owned property. Thus, you should put in as close to the road as possible and be respectful of the area. Once in, you are immediately immersed among numerous birds in a wooded swamp as you pass under an aging railroad bridge. The widening, sandy bottomed stream continues under Circuit Street where a sharp left turn and some brief quickwater provides the first excitement.

After French’s Stream comes in from the right, the stream opens dramatically into Forge Pond. The banks of the pond are largely undeveloped at this end and along the entire right side. Following the pond, you pass under King Street, a rather tight fit in the high water ideal for this run. The river then flows over a wooden panel dam and into a long rock garden where passage would be difficult later in the season. The water soon flattens out as it winds peacefully along, protected on both sides by the fireworks conservation land. Tiny concrete huts dot the banks, providing one of the few reminders of industry still visible from the water.

The tight wooded banks gradually give way to marsh as the river widens. Dozens of Redwing Blackbirds chirp loudly, announcing our arrival. With each corner of this meandering route, we again search for the many goose nests tucked in by the water’s edge. As the expectant mothers crouch low over their eggs, their mottled coats are perfectly camouflaged. Our presence also leads sunbathing turtles to scramble off their logs. After several turns, we enter Factory Pond to the view of a Great Blue Heron skipping across the surface into flight.

Factory pond is probably the biggest wildlife haven in Hanover. A small island in the center is the well protected home of an entire animal community. A swan hugs close to its coast, his mate and their unseen nest probably nearby. At this time of year, the lily pads have yet to cover the majority of this shallow pond so the island still looks well isolated from its surroundings. We passed to its left, heading down what little main current is visible. The pond then necks to a narrow opening where the remnants of an old wooden bridge are visible. The manmade sand approaches built for vehicle traffic now lie dormant and overgrown.

Once through this passage, the pond turns left. The Hanson banks to the right now support the first waterfront houses. The Hanover side remains conservation land until the dam at the end of the pond. This recently rebuilt dam is unmarked and quite a drop. You need to stay to its left to reach town owned land. As you pull up beside the dam, you are on the most recently acquired town access. The new development going in off Broadway includes a small parking area and canoe launch. For those looking for a casual flat water trip, this is the perfect put in. From here, with little or no current opposing, you can reverse my direction and travel up river around Factory Pond and beyond.

Continuing our trek, it was time for our longest portage. Several fallen large trees lay just pass the base of the dam, preventing an easy run through the quick water. We decided to carry the canoe out of the new development and launch again just upstream of Broadway. Tight brush chokes what is now the Indian Head River to a tight but passable fit. Restrictions pick up the current but there are is no whitewater. On one turn, a large hawk takes flight as we approach. In little time, the river opens again on the approach to the bridge near the intersection of Cross Street and Broadway. It is time again for a brief portage.

Fifteen years ago, when we last made this run, a combination of sharper skills and youthful bravery led us to run the whitewater drop here. In high water, you can negotiate the three foot drop and aggressive run. We have done it cleanly. However, it is a significant safety risk which should only be undertaken by skilled canoeists who have spotters on the banks. For that matter, this easy take out point is the end of the line for the casual traveler as several good drops, with little or no access, lie between here and Ludham’s Ford.

A small footpath makes for easy portage to a point about a hundred feet downstream of the road. Our pulses quicken as we anticipate the remainder of our trip. The mostly calm route is broken by two good whitewater drops. Another flat water stretch then leads to the broken down dam that is visible from Water Street. This is most aggressive drop and the only one where we did get briefly hung up on one of the many unseen boulders. The river splits here and then rejoins, with either side equally passable. Damp from spray, with our knees wet from crouching in the whitewater stretches, we enjoy the final flat section on our way to Ludham’s Ford. Ample parking and easy access are available here, making it another ideal location to start a relaxing upstream trip. Just beyond the dam, at the Indian Head Drive canoe launch, the trip could continue into the North River.  For us, Ludham’s Ford was the end of a morning of perfect escape to the beauty and challenges of the river.

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Doug Thomson is with the Hanover Open Space Committee. He is interested in your comments on open space issues and can be reached at shestin@world.std.com.