Horse Hill Nature Preserve Ad-Hoc Committee

This year the Committee continued its support of Town Staff in preparation for the development of the Definitive Plan for the Horse Hill Nature Preserve. This work included the following:

The Amherst Road Parking Lot. The Committee through Newton Coryell worked with Walter Warren, Ed Chase, many members of the DPW, a generous donation by Brad Knight, and facilitated volunteer donations from Jennings Excavation and Longa & Son. This all came together to bring about the near completion of this important Parking area.

The creation and discussion of a preliminary Trails Master Plan. The Plan though not completed included sufficient detail to show the direction it was going. The Committee awaited input from Town Staff before continuing work on this plan.

Continued the work of Eagle Scouts Dave Cote and Bill Lott to bring about a GPS accurate map of the current trails on Horse Hill and followed the Town’s Trails Standards as set out by Ernie Buck to formally mark and open the Quarry Trail as it proceeds through HHNP.

Assisted in the creation of a donation account for the Horse Hill Nature Preserve (HHNP).

Installed 12 small white direction signs on HHNP to help users find there way while out on the property.

Continued the removal of large metal automotive debris from the northern area of HHNP.

Worked on a Committee website update.

Submitted to Town Staff a draft HHNP User Survey in support of the Town Meeting warrant article.

Provided hunter information at the access points to HHNP to educate all users during the fall hunting season.

The year completed with the kick off of the Definitive Plan process. The Town contracted with the Nashua Regional Planning Commission (NRPC) and Tom Kokx of Thomas Kokx and Associates to facilitate the creation of the Definitive Plan for HHNP. The Committee started the process in November and had the Organizational meeting under the guidance of the NRPC in December.