2014 New Hampshire State Parks Office of Community Recreation Program Review

NH State Parks hosted EventsClean-up Day on Mt. Major State Forest in May: partnered with SPNHF and the Belknap-Range Trail Tenders to provide over 140 hours of trail maintenance and graffiti removal on Mt. Major. National Trails Day, June 7: 9 volunteer events hosted by 7 groups on 8 different DRED properties resulting in over 400 hours of volunteer trail maintenance. Earth Day, April 22: 12 park staff assisted in painting over graffiti at Odiorne State Park.

Monadnock Trails Week, July 11-15: partnered with SPNHF. More than 800 hours of work on 5 trails from over 60 participants. National Public Lands Day, September 27: partnered with park staff, Belknap Range Conservation Coalition, and Student Conservation Association to bring interpretive educational programming to 6 properties (Monadnock, Mt. Washington, Bear Brook, Pawtuckaway, Umbagog, and Mt. Major) that brought the story of the parks and NPLD to over 200 people.

Community Outreach EventsParks staff hosted information tables and distributed Parks brochures, cards, giveaways, and provided information to hundreds of people at the following:

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-White Mountains Community College Job Fair: January 28th in Berlin -WildNH Day: April 19th in Concord -Timberland Health & Safety Fair: May 28th in Stratham -Lonza Safety Fair: June 25th in Portsmouth SEIU Appreciation Day: October 1st in Concord

-Saint-Gobain Health & Safety Day: October 7th in Merrimack -First Day Hike: January 1st. First Day Hikes are a way for families and individuals to start the New Year off with a rejuvenating hike and free access to State Parks. Hikes were held at three locations this year: Milan Hill State Park, Wentworth-Coolidge State Historic Site, and Monadnock State Park. FDH is a national event hosted by all 50 State Parks. This was the 3rd year in a row that NH hosted First Day hikes. A total of 127 individuals attended and skied, hiked, and walked a total of 193 miles. Location

Adults

Children

TOTAL

Miles Hiked/Skied

Milan Hill SP

21

4

28

46

Monadnock SP

22

6

33

48

WentworthCoolidge

60

6

66

99

TOTAL

103

16

127

193

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Park Staff, Society for the Protection of New Hampshire land stewards, and local volunteers hosted interpretive hikes, snowshoe and XC ski tours all followed by a healthy snack and warm drink around a fire. One of the greatest highlights of this event was a couple from Massachusetts who drove up to Milan Hill (3+ hours) to take advantage of the hike. Our thanks to great partners including Eastern Mountain Sports, Shaw’s Supermarkets, Alpina Sports, and Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests for their donations and sponsorships to host as many sites as we did which made for an enjoyable day for all who participated.

Snowshoe group photo at the Summit of Milan Hill State Park

Waiting to get the hike started outside the Gallery at Wentworth-Coolidge mansion Historic Site

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Getting Warm by the outside fire at Monadnock State Park

Great Park Pursuit: June 14th Bear Brook State Park, July 19th Greenfield State Park, August 9th Franconia Notch State Park. The New Hampshire Great Park Pursuit is a challenge designed to help families (teams) discover enjoy the many recreational opportunities offered by the state and municipal parks, forests, and waterways throughout the state. Teams follow trails, catch fish, and visit historic sites while learning about the health and educational benefits of being more active in the great outdoors. They discover the rewards of becoming healthy, environmentally conscious citizen stewards of public lands, and having fun every step of the way! Location Bear Brook State Park “Family Camping 101” Greenfield State Park “Get Hooked with Lets go Fishing” Franconia Notch State Park “Mountain of Family Fun”

Adults 7

Children 8

Total 15

26

35

61

18

17

35

Bear Brook State Park: Thanks to our program host, the Student Conservation Association (SCA), “Family Camping 101” kicked off the Great Park Pursuit season by joining SCA’s Discover the Power of the Parks Program interpreters to learn and explore all there is to do when camping in NH State Parks. Programming for the day allowed teams to take a nature hike and learn about invasive species that impact firewood, practice rainy day storytelling, discuss camper ethics, and explore ponding. Office of Community Recreation 2014 Annual Report

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Greenfield State Park: “Get Hooked” with NH Fish and Game’s “Let’s Go Fishing” program. We partnered with NH Fish and Game to bring basic angler education to Greenfield State Park. This program taught basic ecological concepts, introductory fishing skills, and new ways to enjoy the outdoors. “Let’s Go Fishing” is primarily designed for first time anglers. We also celebrated Greenfield State Parks 50th Anniversary with a cake and celebration.

The Parks crew manning the registration table

Group practicing casting

Learning about basic ecology and invertebrates

50th Anniversary cake

Franconia Notch State Park: What better way to end the Great Park Pursuit season than in Franconia Notch. The Appalachian Mountain Club hosted “Mountains of Family fun” at Profile Field. A series of interactive programs were presented by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) NH Chapter volunteers. Guests discovered HikeSafe, took part in simulated rescue presented by New Hampshire K-9 , learned about “Leave No Trace”, and enjoyed Astronomy/Solar observations. Families had an option to take an adventurous guided hike to Artist Bluff which overlooks Franconia Notch.

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Looking at solar flares

Learning the essentials of K9 rescue

Learning what it takes to make a hiking trail Office of Community Recreation 2014 Annual Report

Even the adults get to have fun

The dog found the lost kids

The view from Artists Bluff

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Volunteer Program:

$ Value of Reported Hours

2013

# of Reported Hours 3,068

2014

7,478

$136,698

Hours-

(through December 17)

$56,083

Friends/ Volunteer GroupsOur 20 organized volunteer groups around the State were very busy throughout the year. Highlights include: -Friends of Pisgah- Monthly trail work days which included clearing downed limbs from trails, litter pick up, clearing views, roadway improvements, fundraising, and advocating for the Park with the local community. -Friends of the Pemi- New picnic tables and fire grilles at the beach side, trash clean up, visitor information, hosting a public visioning session in March, providing a vital bridge to the community and local police for support, advising the Division on future plans, raising funds and awareness. -Belknap Range Trail Tenders- Over 400 reported hours of volunteer trail work and improvements to trails in the Belknap Range, including Belknap Mountain State Forest, also assisted with a spring clean-up event at Mt. Major State Forest. -Cardigan Highlanders- Continued trail improvements to several miles of trail on Mt. Cardigan and Mt. Sunapee, including drainage, blazing, and cutting back overgrowth. -Friends of Mt. Cardigan- Weekly trash clean up, bathroom cleaning, map re-stocking, and visitor services at Mt. Cardigan State Park. -Nansen Ski Club- Aided with visitor services and leading a cross-country ski activity for the First Day Hike event at Milan Hill SP. Also groomed the ski trails, provided visitor services and

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information throughout the winter, and are looking into expanding the trail network for this coming winter season.

Summer/Fall trail work

Winter grooming of Milan Hill XC ski trail

-New England Mountain Bike Association/Southern NH Chapter- Started a trail adopter program at Bear Brook SP, installed new bridges and improved trail treadway, held a fund raising event in October that pulled in over $1,000 to help support Bear Brook SP’s trails. -Friends of the Wapack- Continued regular trail maintenance of the entire Wapack Trail, which crosses Temple Mountain, Miller State Park, Binney Pond Natural Area (all DRED properties). Installed a new hiking trail on Temple Mountain (Beebe Trail), new blazing and signage, and replaced the roof of the historic picnic shelter at the summit of Miller State Park.

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Replaced roof of the shelter on the summit of Miller State Park

-The Cohas Trail Association has contributed nearly 200 hours of volunteer time in maintaining the sections of the Trail that run through DRED land. Additionally, they contributed over 40 hours of work on bridge renovation in Nash Stream State Forest. -Additionally, individual volunteers at Monadnock State Park continued to pour in time while maintaining the 40 miles of trails and also completed, with the assistance of park staff, a renovation of the Visitor Center. Over 700 hours have been reported from volunteers at this park, and still counting.

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Monadnock Trails Week

Monadnock Visitor Center Dedication

Office of Community Recreation 2014 Annual Report

Monadnock Trails Week

Grand Re-Opening

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Community Programs Bus Pass The New Hampshire State Parks Bus Pass Program is managed and designed to promote recreational opportunities within state parks for New Hampshire based community recreation programs, non-profit youth programs, and state agency youth programs, during the summer months. Pass Options

Cost

Price Per Visit

# of Visits Allowed

Best Value For

1. Day of Fun

$35

$35

1 bus visit

A bus group that makes 3 or less park visits per season

2. Five Days of Fun

$125

$25

5 bus visits

Any bus group making more than 3 visits or bringing more than 2 buses to a few visits (5 bus visits for less than the price of 4)

3. Summer of Fun

$225

$22.50

10 bus visits

Bus groups making more than 6 bus visits to the parks

For the 2014 season (June 20-August 29) we sold 1,465 bus passes to 129 different youth groups for a total of $34,865. This program allowed over 30,000 youth discounted access to many of NH’s State Parks.

90 Day Challenge The Division partnered with the Governor’s Council on Physical Activity and Health to bring NH Moves 90 Day Wellness Challenge to our State Parks. The 90 Day Wellness Challenge is designed to get individuals and families moving every day. The challenge was for folks to move a mile a day for 3 months and keep track in their 90 day challenge passports. Participants were encouraged to log a minimum of one mile a day (or 20 minutes of sustained activity). As an added bonus, participants were able to access State Parks for free to log their activities as long as they showed their passport at the entrance. Office of Community Recreation 2014 Annual Report

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Here are some numbers from the final 90 Day Challenge Survey: • 11,200 NH residents registered for the 90 Day Challenge • 1,802 participants used state parks as a place to complete their daily physical activities. • 87% indicated that the challenge helped increase their daily physical activity • 97% indicated that they would participate in the 90 day challenge in 2015

Complimentary/Special Needs Access Many non-profit organizations seek donations from State Parks in the way of season passes or single- use passes to be included in fundraising activities such as raffles and silent auctions. The Community Recreation Office reviews requests at least once monthly and typically awards requests to New Hampshire based organizations whose own mission and programming is consistent with the Division’s mission. Organizations that have a direct contract with a state agency to provide care for disabled persons or youth at risk are eligible for up to 10 vouchers per season, which for qualified organizations allow for free or reduced rate admission to parks. From January-October 2014 about $1,930 worth of day and season passes have been donated to charitable causes and $6,323 towards special needs programs.

Commemorative Memorial Bench Program Managed by the Office of Community Recreation and revamped for the 2014 season, we launched the Commemorative Memorial Bench Program (CMBP). The CMBP provides the public with the opportunities to purchase a bench to be given to New Hampshire State Parks in honor of friends or family members. So far, an additional 7 benches have been requested and 1 bench was installed in 2014

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Sample Bench

Bench placed at Rye Harbor State Park

Land and Water Conservation Fund Authorized in 1965 the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) is a federally funded grant program through the National Park Service. The program provides 50/50 matching grants to state and local governments for the purpose acquiring and/or developing public recreational areas and facilities. The program is intended to create and maintain a nationwide legacy of quality public recreational resources as well as to stimulate non-federal investments in the purchase, development, maintenance and protection of these highly valued recreational areas. Under the LWCF Act of 1965 any property purchased or developed with LWCF assistance must remain in public recreational use in perpetuity. LWCF Facts: • Since its conception over $37 million has been spend on outdoor recreation projects in NH • 539 locally sponsored projects funded throughout the State totaling $25,007,0076.94 • 110 projects in State Park system have been funded with LWCF with a total of $12,199,987.71 being contributed to outdoor recreation For FY 2013 NH received an apportionment of $401,970 and FY 2014 the State received $421,515. This money was split (60%/40%) between local and state projects. Monies were used for grant round 26 as well as the current grant round 27. The grant round 26 approved projects are: Local Projects

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•

#33-00692- Town of Chichester, Carpenter Park Recreational Enhancements-Phase II, $35,000 • #33-693-City of Laconia, Weirs Community Park Playground, $64,800 • #33-00694 City of Somersworth, Mast Point Dame Revitalization Project, $28,500 DRED-Parks Projects • #33-00691 Jericho Mountain State Park III, $331,454 • #33-00695 Monadnock Visitor Services Building, $331,824 Grant round 27 applications are due to DRED by January 9, 2015. Intent applications have already been received from 20 municipalities. From the 20 municipalities we have a total of 22 proposed projects with a total approximate cost of $7,000,000 (potential $3,500,000 in grant application). Unmet needs are measured and reported annually to the National Parks Service, this is extremely important as LWCF is due for re-authorization at the end of 2015.

Advisory Councils and Associations Part of strengthening our relationship with the public and our partners includes staff participation with several advisory councils and outdoor recreation associations representing the Commissioner and Director. • • • • • • • • • • •

Rivers Management Advisory Council (RMAC)-Hummel Lakes Management Advisory Council (LMAC)-Feldbaum Public Waters Access Advisory Board (PWAAB)-Gegas New Hampshire Water Council –Gegas New Hampshire Outdoor Council-Feldbaum New Hampshire Recreation and Parks Association-Feldbaum and Gegas National Recreation and Parks Association-Feldbaum and Gegas National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers (NASORLO)-Feldbaum NHDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Advisory Committee (BPTAC)-Feldbaum NH Award Selection Committee for VolunteerNH-Hummel National Association of State Park Volunteer Coordinators-Hummel

Conferences Representing the interests of New Hampshire and the Division of Park and Recreation all members of the Office of Community Recreation have taken part in conferences this year. Office of Community Recreation 2014 Annual Report

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From programmatic education sessions to networking with our counterparts in other states these conferences are a major part of our success here in New Hampshire. • • • • •

National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers (NASORLO)Vancouver, WA-(Feldbaum and Gegas) National Association of State Park Volunteer Coordinators- Lawrence, Kansas-(Hummel) New Hampshire Recreation and Parks Annual Conference, Concord NH-(Feldbaum) Northern New England Recreation and Park Conference, Bartlett NH-(Feldbaum) National Recreation and Parks Association Legislative Forum, Washington, DC(Feldbaum)

Meetings with Volunteer Groups During the year, we have met with 27 different volunteer groups, Friends Groups, and other partnering organizations. Some of these groups meet monthly (Friends of Pisgah, Friends of Northwood Meadows), semi-monthly (Friends of the Pemi, Nansen Ski Club, Friends of the Wapack), and others annually (Belknap Range Trail Tenders).

Meetings with Volunteer Groups in 2014 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0

Number of Meetings

Meetings with groups from all over the State that are regularly involved with supporting our Parks has provided routine, consistent, and effective streamlined dialogue and communication between the Division and the volunteers. The Division has gained insight to the needs, views, and ideas for direction within our properties, while at the same time providing a strong link to our local communities. Office of Community Recreation 2014 Annual Report

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Some meetings also involved on-site visitation and review of trail conditions, layout, and future management. For example, Patrick Hummel, Volunteer Activities Coordinator, had seven different site visitations at Livermore Falls. The Friends Group was able to install new picnic tables and fire grilles. The Division is also planning for expanded parking opportunities and historic signage as well as improved access as a result of these meetings. Friends of the Wapack reviewed, on-site, a new hiking trail, which received approval through the Division and Land Management Teams. This trail was cut, blazed, and signed all within the course of the early summer (Beebe Trail on Temple Mountain Reservation). On-site meetings have also laid out groundwork for trail improvements at Mt. Cardigan and Mt. Sunapee State Parks (Cardigan Highlanders), a new parking lot at Northwood Meadows State Park (Friends of Northwood Meadows), and enforcement and protection at Pierce Island State Forest (Spofford Lake Association). We developed new relationships with the Stewardship Network- New England (providing us opportunities to expand resources in support of our volunteer program), White Mountain Community College (potential internship opportunities), Monadnock Conservancy (potential partner for volunteer events), as well as Plymouth State University and Keene State College (provided new volunteer opportunities for the students). Relationships were also strengthened with the Appalachian Mountain Club, White Mountain National Forest, and Society for the Protection of NH Forests, meeting and talking with these organizations on many levels, including sharing training resources and building event partnerships.

FY2013-FY2014 Expenses First Day Hike $787.08 $48.50 100 printed marketing posters $87.90 WB-Mason Food Supplies $75.68 WB-Mason Supplies Office of Community Recreation 2014 Annual Report

All three locations All three locations All three locations Page 16

$500.00 $75.00

FDH Give Away Winter Hats *(Paid out of Retail Budget) *DONATED* Shaw’s Gift Cards

All three locations All three locations

Great Park Pursuit $1,546.55 $662.44 Marketing Info Rack Cards $217.50 GPP Rubber Bracelets $492.24 Staff Polo Shirts $29.92 WB-Mason Supplies $19.78 Home Depot-Rope and Stakes $32.59 Smores Supplies $36.08 Art Supplies $56.00 Anniversary Cake

All Events All Events All Events Bear Brook State Park Bear Brook State Park Bear Brook State Park Greenfield State Park Greenfield State Park

Marketing Supplies $3,920.78 $1,723.10 Marketing Giveaways $1,992.40 EZ-Up Parks Branded Tent $205.28 EZ-Up Parks Branded Table Cloth

All Events All Events All Events

Volunteer Activities $1,050.02 $528.25 Volunteer Bandanas $521.77 AMC Trail Field Guides

All Events All Events

Travel and Conferences $5,105.00 $210.00 NHRPA State Conference-Concord, NH $435.00 Northern NE Parks and Rec. ConferenceBartlett, NH $2,000 National Association of State Parks Volunteer Coordinators Conference- Lawrence, Kansas $2,463.00 NASORLO Conference- Vancouver, Washington

Feldbaum and Gegas Feldbaum Hummel Feldbaum and Gegas

Bus Pass Program $521.00 $435.00 Pass Printing $86.00 Shipping cost for passes Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) $2,837.12 $160.00 Office printer toner $350.00 Inspection camera $377.12 LWCF manual printing Office of Community Recreation 2014 Annual Report

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$1950.00

LWCF metal signs

Office Supplies $1,000 $250.00 Office wall divider $500.00 Office supplies $250.00 Office chair

Bill’s office Bill, Patrick, and Eric Eric’s office

Total: $16,767.55 With the Office of Community Recreations salaries and benefits as well as all expenses we estimate there is a $250,000 return on investment. The ROI is based on increased State and local park visitorship and the savings of roughly $130,000 in operational expenses on trail maintenance from volunteer work.

2015 Projected Goals Land and Water Conservation Fund Goal • Complete Grand Round 27(GR27) with selections submitted to NPS for final approval by April 1st and signed project agreements. June 2015. • Add New Hampshire project locations to the National ATLAS data base. Complete a state Granite GIS layer for all LWCF funded sites. December 2015 o Hire an intern with GIS knowledge to assist. o Funding would need to be secured to add this 3-6month position  Possible funding would be Park Operations class 50 funds or even a possible grant. • Assemble all LWCF agreement documents for review by AG’s office for recommended changes. December 2015. • Complete all out-of-date site inspections December 2015

Volunteer Program Goals Office of Community Recreation 2014 Annual Report

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• Complete volunteer trailer and tool purchase. o The trailer will be used as a mobile volunteer in a box. It will hold all the tools necessary for maintenance work on trails and can be driven/delivered throughout the state. The trailer will be used by volunteers, friends groups and even park staff. Funding for this trailer will be paid by a recreational trails grant (80%) and by park operations (20%), total cost is $10,000. January 30, 2015 • Finalize the outline for future MOA’s o Complete and signed MOAs for Nansen Ski Club and Friends of Pisgah. February 2015. o AMC, NEMBA and Friends of the Pemi are next in line to have MOAs drafted. Now that the outline has been finalized it should be a quick turnaround to have drafted and signed. Spring 2015 • Completion of Volunteer Program Handbooks o Assistance from marketing will be need for printing and design. • Completion and implementation of Trail Maintenance guidelines and trainings

Community Recreation Program Goals • Redevelop The Great Park Pursuit to be a one day event with prizes. June 2015 o Funding will be 3701-102 and sponsorship donations o Looking to partner with New Hampshire Children in Nature Coalition to be the lead presenter. • Develop a camping program for youth. This program would give youth who have never been camping the opportunity to try it out within State Parks. o Work with NH based outdoor retail companies and vendors to assist with program funding. o Hire a planning intern to assist with program design.  UNH, Plymouth State, or SNHU Office of Community Recreation 2014 Annual Report

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• Design Best Management Practices for NH’s outdoor recreation providers using the 2013 Update of the “Forest Service Outdoor Recreations Accessibility Guidelines”. o Assistance will come from the Recreational for All Technical Committee. Committee will consist of members from state and federal agencies, the NH Parks and Recreation Association, and professionals interested in accessible recreation. • Revise and update policies for the BUS PASS PROGRAM. (this will be in conjunction with the anticipated fee package revision planned for 2016) o With help from marketing redesign pass o Work with field staff to redesign program • Redevelop policies for the COMPLIMENTARY USE. (this will be in conjunction with the anticipated fee package revision 2016) o With help from marketing redesign vouchers • Redevelop policies for the SPECIAL NEEDS. ( this will be in conjunction with the anticipated fee package revision planned for 2016) o With help from marketing redesign vouchers • Finalize the Park Passport Journal. June 2015 o Funding for the printing and marketing will come from Retail o Assistance from Marketing and Rumbletree for design work

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