Neighbors Ask Town to Buy Whipple Hill to Spare it From Development

Neighbors concerned at a possible sale and development of land owned by a local Catholic church are now asking the town of Danvers to consider purchasing the land to preserve as open space.

The wooded area is known as Whipple Hill and situated behind the St. Mary of the Annunciation Cemetery on Hobart Street and connects to a system of trails at Endicott Park on the other end. In total, there are about 28 acres and half of that is currently used for the cemetery.

Clark Farm also abuts the land and the area is surrounded by existing residential areas on Bayberry Road, Sandpiper Circle, Larrabee Avenue, Ashley Lane and Robert Road.

At its Aug. 6 session, the Board of Selectmen received a letter and petition signed by approximately 160 residents. The document was originally submitted to the Open Space and Recreation Advisory Committee in June.

Town Manager Wayne Marquis noted last week that the committee has not presented him yet with a recommendation on the matter.

A number of residents calling themselves the Friends of Whipple Hill appeared before the selectmen in May to air their concerns and did the same with the Conservation Commission. Selectman Bill Clark told colleagues he heard there are plans to build 15 homes on the property, reported the Salem News.

Marquis said in May that the town had limited resources available for purchasing open space and had requested the open space committee provide some advice on uses for the land.

In their letter, the Friends say it's clear the church is exploring possible options for the land in terms of expanding the cemetery and/or selling off part of it.

They urge the town to try and protect as much of the land as possible to preserve it as a green space and natural habitat for existing wildlife -- coyotes, foxes, deer, wild turkeys and a wide range of birds. The wetlands are also home to a "robust vernal pool habitat," according to the Friends, and they help control localized flooding.

The Friends also note the town could then expand the existing network of trails from Endicott Park and boost property values by maintaining green space in the neighborhood.

The town's 2009 Open Space and Recreation Plan identifies the land as the "Park-to-Clark" link and likewise recommends the town try to acquire the property, says the Friends. They also say the Essex County Greenbelt Association is interested in preserving the land and/or partnering with Danvers on that effort.

"We, the abutters, neighbors and friends of Whipple Hill truly value this open space and want you and the town's elected officials to know that protection of this land has broad-based support," the letter reads. "We would also like to offer any assistance, as appropriate, that you or the town may require in pursuing the acquisition and protection of this wooded open space."

The town has not received any development proposals for the land, however, the church has been before the Conservation Commission to delineate wetlands on the property, which often is the first step toward that end.