The purpose of the Green & Beautiful Plan is to transform the library grounds into spaces that

are ecologically friendly, foster recreation and community engagement, and provide teaching

tools in various subjects.

Phase one will be The Parkland. This is the large open sweep of ground that you first see as you drive up to the library. Once, large

shade trees outlined the perimeter and were featured in clusters in the center. Large pines lined the

road and smaller fruit trees were scattered about but many of these trees are now gone. The Green

& Beautiful Plan restores a number of these major hardwoods, with each one chosen for a specific

purpose. Clusters of fruit trees and flowering trees are also interspersed with the hardwoods. The

large sweep of grassland and the view up to the library is left unimpeded. Benches are placed at

strategic locations. Flowering trees will also be planted by the parking lot.

The goal is also to restore the grounds to their former beauty, by replacing trees and

shrubs, rejuvenating and reimagining gardens and improving the grasslands.

The William Fogg Library is on the National Historic Register, as is the Fogg Homestead,

so the grounds are deserving of respect. The library grounds are also home to the town’s World

War I Monument, honoring veterans of that war, so it behooves us to create and maintain an

area that is respectful, restful and befitting fallen heroes.

It is also important to recognize that the William Fogg Library will celebrate its 125th

anniversary in 2027. What better way to celebrate this significant milestone than by giving the

library, its patrons, and the community a gift that will provide beauty, enjoyment, education

and environmental stewardship to so many?

The plan creates various specific spaces among the grounds, each with its own purpose.

Separate sheets discuss the educational, environmental and economic benefits of each.