DTC is proud to have assisted the Trustees of Gilman Park, a beautiful park bordered on three sides by the Exeter River, in their transfer of the property to the Town of Exeter. The story is a long one, and begins in 1892 when Daniel and Minnie Gilman deeded their property to five Trustees to hold it and maintain it as a park for Exeter residents, forever. For over a hundred years, a succession of Trustees did just that. When liability concerns, and a lack of liquid funds, forced the Trustees to consider alternatives to the Gilman’s trust, they turned to DTC partner Charlie Tucker. Working with associate Kate Miller, they guided the Trustees through a Town meeting vote in 2008, whereby the Town agreed to accept the property for a dollar, through negotiations with the Southeast Land Trust of New Hampshire, which now holds a conservation easement on the property, and through a successful cy pres petition in the Probate Court, to get permission from the Court to transfer the park to the Town. The closing occurred September 19, 2012, at DTC’s office on Water Street in Exeter, capped by Trustee Joanna Pellerin’s toast with sparkling wine to the Trustees, the Land Trust, the Town and DTC. “It was a really satisfying conclusion to a really long process,” said Attorney Kate Miller. “The Trustees achieved their goals, and the residents of Exeter will continue to have this beautiful park. I was proud to be part of it.” For further information on DTC’s work for charitable organizations, see our Charitable & Other Non-Profit Organizations Practice Group. For more on the Gilman Park Trustees’ story, see http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20121009-NEWS-210090368.
