Stokes Hill is a well-known sledding hill that citizens and visitors have used in Moorestown for decades. There was a point in history when the historic hill would have been sold to a developer, but due to the hard word of an individual and through the rallying efforts of residents, the township was able to acquire the land and have it for public use for decades to come.
To honor that individual as well as the history of Stokes Hill, a historic marker will be placed at the top of the hill. Save The Environment of Moorestown will host the unveiling of the Stokes Hill Historic Marker on Sunday, Sept. 13 at 3 p.m.
“It is a meaningful event, having a new historic marker. And now (visitors of the hill) will know a little bit about it and what it took for it to be permanently available for use. It is a very low-key gathering, but meaningful,” STEM member Margo Foster said.
For decades, people have loved to sled at Stokes Hill, named for an early owner. The privately-owned hill was used by the public for years by virtue of an arrangement between the landowner and the township.
But in 1991, the property was to be sold for development. Fierce public outcry prompted Carol Mastran, local artist and STEM member, to spearhead a “Save Stokes Hill” campaign. Contributors to the cause donated thousands of dollars to help pay for the purchase of the property; those who donated $10 or more received a reproduction of Mastran’s watercolor, “Stokes Hill Sledders.” She led the children of Moorestown to rally strong community support with their lively posters of sledders on the hill.
“A lot of people were upset about it being sold. Carol Mastran led a campaign to stop it. She encouraged children to make posters about how they felt about the hill and posted them in Town Hall,” Foster said.
Mastran went to the township as well, asking it to support saving Stokes Hill. In 1993, voters successfully passed the first non-binding open space referendum that backed the use of township funds to preserve open space and acquire the 8.3-acre site. The $525,000 cost for the property was paid for with Green Acres funds that included a low interest loan for $375,000 and a 25 percent grant in recognition of the site’s important environmental and recreational attributes, plus $25,000 from the township. The open space includes a wooded area at the bottom of the hill that is part of the South Valley Woods.
“Her ideas were very different in that she used her talents to go into the schools, talk to principals and art teachers, so children can do posters about their thoughts of Stokes Hill. It was absolutely precious to see those posters around the Town Hall. The mayor and rest of Township Council were taken aback by the desire to take back the hill. We went through the process and now have it preserved for forever,” Barbara Rich, Environmental Advisory Committee member liaison, said.
“It is an important part of town, used for more than 100 years. Now no one can buy it or build on it, so it will be there far into the future,” Foster said.
Sadly, Mastran passed away on July 9, 2014, and when she died, her family requested that people make contributions to Perkins Center for the Arts or STEM. After receiving donations, STEM decided it would do something for her at Stokes Hill to let people know about the hill and her hard work. The idea for the historic marker came up and arrangements were made for it to happen.
“I am thrilled. I think it is wonderful and something people will read when they come and sled. And it will be a great way to remember Carol.
“We needed to get permission, of course, and I am thrilled they said ‘yes’ and everything is working out the way it is supposed to,” Foster said.
The unveiling of the historic marker will include a speech by Mayor Victoria Napolitano and Mastran’s husband John, and in attendance will be members of STEM and the Department of Parks and Recreation.
“Part of the significance of this event is that someone stepped up and the township rallied together to do this, and Town Council listened. It just goes to show the power of the individual in getting things done,” Foster said. “Carol was a dedicated and energetic, lovely person, besides being an artist and getting people to follow her example because of her bubbly personality and happy smile. It is what makes Moorestown, it is people caring about what goes on in the town.”
“For people who come from out of town, they will now know how Stokes Hill got there. Carol was instrumental. People will know some of its history because of what the marker says and hopefully inspire children to become involved in saving precious places,” Rich said.
Stokes Hill is located at 240 E. Main St.
The ceremony will take place rain or shine.
