The Town of Dover invites residents interested in plans for the Hale Education property to attend informational forums this week. 

The forums are hosted by the Trustees of Reservations, Westwood Land Trust, and Dover Land Conservation Trust. 

Forums will be held at Powisset Farm on Wednesday, June 21, from 10:30-11:30 am, and from 6:30-7:30 pm. Forums also are scheduled at the Westwood Library Main Branch on Thursday, June 22, from 10:30-11:30 am, and from 6:30-7:30 pm. 

The 1,200-acre property, divided almost equally between the two communities, features an extensive 15-mile trail system, four ponds, acres of beautiful beachfront, woodlands, and meadows. Thousands visit the property each year for passive recreation. Hale Education also hosts community events, camps, school programs and other outdoor education. 

The Towns are working on a proposal to purchase conservation restrictions on the property, which will permanently protect it from future development. The Hale land abuts 109-acre Powisset Farm and 595-acre Noanet Woodlands, both owned by The Trustees, as well as conservation land owned or protected by the two Towns and land trusts. 

Conservation restrictions are estimated to cost $10 million per community. Dover voters will be asked to approve the purchase at a Special Town Meeting in the fall, which requires a two-thirds majority vote, and in a subsequent Proposition 2 ½ debt exclusion vote at the ballot.