It's Official: Marjory Swope Park Now a Reality

Concord’s newest park, the , moved several steps closer to reality on Dec. 21, with the formal establishment of a conservation easement on the 77.25 acre property off Long Pond Road. 

John Swope donated the easement to Five Rivers Conservation Trust and then donated the protected land to the City of Concord in memory of his wife, Marjory Swope, long time chair of Concord’s Conservation Commission. At the same time, has agreed to allow trails on their abutting Jerry Hill property to tie into the Marjory Swope Park, as has the Hok family. Hikers will be able to walk to the top of Jerry Hill, and can extend their hike to include a several mile loop into the State Forest off District #5 Road, and city of Concord land behind Timberline Drive. Marjory Swope Park will also provide access from the east to the new West End Farm Trail that links Carter Hill Orchard, Rossview Farm, Dimond Hill Farm and Turkey Pond.

Jay Haines, the executive director of , said following the transaction closing,  “The generosity of the Swope family in donating the land for the Marjory Swope Park and neighboring land owners; St. Paul School and the Hok family, makes possible a wonderful trail system on the west side of Concord.”

was also instrumental in the establishment of Winant Park, and if the success of that park is any indication, this new park and its trails will be a great boon to Greater Concord’s outdoor loving community.
 
, city senior planner and staff representative to the , expects the city will have completed the parking area for the Marjory Swope Park this coming spring, and is setting up a committee of volunteers from Five Rivers and the Concord Trail Meisters to lay out the Swope trails, with the aim of opening the park by early summer.  The West End Farm Trail has already been laid out, and will be blazed-marked this winter.