WHEREAS, The Hockanum River Linear Park Committee was created in 1970 by resolution of the Town
of Manchester Board of Directors as a joint group of volunteers merged to work together for the
preservation of the river's 7-mile long green belt through the Town of manchester; and

WHEREAS, This band of environmentalists, from the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the Manchester
Jaycees, and the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts, all shared a devotion to the Hockanum River, its scenic
beauty, its diverse recreational potentials, and its need to be cleaned up and protected from ever-spreading
commercial development; and

WHEREAS, From that early date, the Committee -- organized as a subcommittee of the Town's
Conservation Commission -- held regular monthly planning meetings, scheduled weekly riverside clean-up
efforts, and gradually created a growing number of hiking trails along the wateway, with trailheads and
parking at key locations. Green and white "Hockanum River Hiking Trail" signs indicate parking for these
trails; and

WHEREAS, Canoeing and kayaking grew in interest as the river was gradually cleared of debris and
fallen trees. Then in 1977, teh First Annual Hockanum River Canoe/Kayak race was held, and many more
followed; and

WHEREAS, The Committee's Memorial Tree Planting was started in November, 2000, in memory of 4
Hockanum Committee member, with the addition of 4 5-6 foot tall White Pines planted along the river.
Since that date, a total of 11 White and Austrian Pines have been placed at several prominent riverside
locations in remembrance of lost Committee members; and

WHEREAS, The HRLPC has also continued an annual Evergreen Seedling Planting program since 1981,
with many hundreds of White Pines, White Spruces and other conifers placed along the entire river in
Manchester with new seedlings added each spring.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Louis A. Spadaccini, Mayor of the Town of Manchester, on behalf of the Board of
Directors, the Town Administration, and the citizens of Manchester, do hereby recognize The Hockanum
River Linear Park Committee on 40 years of committed and dedicated service to the preservation and
growth of both flora and fauna on the nine trails along the Hockanum River in the Town of Manchester.