By: State of NH Parks Community Recreation Bureau
To help create the SCORP, we worked with UNH’s Recreation Management and Policy program (https://www.facebook.com/unhrmp/) to survey thousands of NH outdoor recreationalists and every day this week, we’re going to share with you a different priority area they helped identify.
1. A recent example of “The Recreation Experience,” whose goal is to “Foster recreation development, planning and management goals that aim to project and enhance investments in outdoor recreation throughout New Hampshire” , is Odiorne Point State Park’s playground,
The playground has a brand-new play structures for ages 2-12, including a 3-bay swing set, overhead climber, see-saw, balance beam, park benches and landscaping. Funding for the project was provided through the Land and Water Conservation Fund State Assistance Program -LWCF.
Read more about the SCORP here, and read the full SCORP here.)
The LWCF State Assistance program provides 50/50 matching grants to state and local governments for renovation, development and acquisition of outdoor recreational opportunities. NH State Parks produces a SCORP every five years to be eligible to receive LWCF support.
The Town of Nelson was a recent LWCF grantee from New Hampshire. Funds helped the town establish Patridge Woods Town Forest and develop trailhead parking areas that give access to the existing trail system.
2. This project definitely fits the 2024-2028 SCORP focus area of “Recreation and the Environment,” which has a goal of “Developing plans and projects that focus on adapting facility design and strengthen public stewardship in fostering projects that underscore commitment to natural resource management.”
Another Land and Water Conservation Fund fact: Since the program was founded in 1965, nearly $50 million in LWCF grants have been awarded to New Hampshire cities and towns as well as to state parks and state forests across all of New Hampshire’s ten counties. This has resulted in more than $100 million invested in public outdoor recreation projects!
3. The third priority area in New Hampshire’s 2024-2028 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Management Plan is “Recreation for All.” Check out this awesome LWCF-funded project that makes that happen: The City of Nashua wanted to upgrade the Boat Ramp at Greeley Park as part of its plan to redevelop boating, fishing, and support facilities. Not only did this enhance access to the Merrimack River but the project also incorporated the first accessible loading platform for boats in the State of New Hampshire, which means that folks with physical challenges can now enjoy all the river has to offer.
There are so many amazing outdoor recreation opportunities in New Hampshire that folks of all ages, interests, abilities and backgrounds. There tons of things to do outside all across the state!
4. Introducing kids to outdoors outdoor recreation can help them live happy, healthy lives. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy, just being active outdoors is good for them (and for grown-ups, too!). That’s why “Health and Wellness” are one of the priority areas of New Hampshire’s 2024-2028 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Management Plan.
It’s not just young people in urban areas that benefit from opportunities for safe, fun outdoor recreation – even small, rural parts of the state can use assistance developing new opportunities, like this super-fun playground you see in this post.
Monroe Consolidated School used a LWCF grant to develop a new playground for students and residence to get fresh air and exercise while improving their self-confidence and team-building skills, right near their school!
5. Outdoor Recreation in the Granite State is a $2.7 billion industry that employs 28,000 workers. Recreational activities invite people to our cities and towns, supporting other industries as well, like stores, restaurants and places to stay. That’s why “Economic Vitality” is one of the priority areas in the SCORP.
Here’s an awesome example of a public-private partnership that supports the development of local outdoor recreation infrastructure, expanding its impact on the local economy.
The City of Franklin has used a Land and Water Conservation Fund grant to develop an engineered recreational whitewater feature within the Winnipesaukee River. It’s will also develop amphitheater type seating and a riverside pedestrian pathway within the existing Trestle View Park so that anyone can enjoy what’s happening on the river.
Read more about the SCORP here, and read the full SCORP here.)