NORWICH – The Norwich City School District is exploring options to revitalize Hillcrest Conservation Park.

Last week, the district’s board of education tasked Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan with investigating the possibility of using BOCES resources to reclaim the property so that it may become, once again, an outdoor education resource for Norwich’s students.

The 56 acre parcel, situated off Manley Road on West Hill, was deeded to the district in the 1950’s as a “forever wild” outdoor educational laboratory.

While the property was once well utilized by the district, “it has fallen into disuse over the years,” said Board Member Perry Owen, who brought the matter before his peers last Monday.

According to Owen, he and Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan met with community members who feel Hillcrest should be revived.

He said the renewed interest in the park was sparked by a proposal submitted last August by Fr. Harry Winter, a 1955 graduate of Norwich. The report, which was distributed to board members, detailed the history of the property and supported the educational benefits of its use once more. It included an extensive amount of information in the form of newspaper clippings, yearbook entries and other documents supporting the park’s merit and educational value.