This May and June, Plan NH staff Tiffany Tononi McNamara and Anna Wells are excited to be participating in UNH Cooperative Extension’s Outdoor Economy Academy. Across three days of on-site, place-based learning, we are exploring how outdoor recreation, natural assets, and community design intersect with economic development, public access, and long‑term resilience. We are part of a cohort of 23 planners and economic development professionals and volunteers supporting communities across New Hampshire.
Session 1: Nashua
The first session was held Thursday, May 14 in Nashua. It was a fantastic day with engaged and enthusiastic presenters and participants. We were welcomed by Liz Hannum, Director of Economic Development in Nashua, and Nashua’s Major Jim Donchess. We learned from a panel of expert practitioners how accessible trails and open spaces support a vibrant economy. Then we toured the beautiful Nashua Riverwalk, which is bringing to life the community’s vision for a vibrant, connected, accessible, natural and cultural resource in the heart of Nashua’s downtown. Through small group discussions, we heard about others’ stories and strategies, learning about opportunities and successes in outdoor economy initiatives across the state.
Session 2: Penacook
The second session was on Thursday, May 20 in Penacook (a village of Concord). Concord City Manager Tom Aspell and Concord City Councilor and Penacook Village Association President Brent Todd welcomed us to their community. Then a panel of local, regional, and state-level professionals shared their learning experiences with downtown revitalization and reclamation and the role of the outdoors. We ended with a tour of the Canal Street Riverfront Park and Penacook Landing affordable housing, both built as part of a long-running effort to revitalize former industrial land near the old Allied Leather tannery site. Our walk also took us to Commercial Street in Boscawen, another former mill/tannery area along the Contoocook River, now being planned for redevelopment with housing and mixed uses after environmental cleanup.
Session 3: Plymouth
The final session will meet in Plymouth on June 4. We can’t wait for the next expert panel, more small group discussions providing leaning about insights and opportunities, and the best part – a walking tour exploring how Plymouth is enhancing and connecting to their natural assets.
More in store for Plymouth
Watch this space for LOTS more to come on Plymouth! Plan NH and a group of our dedicated volunteers be there this Friday and Saturday (May 29-30) for a Community Design Charrette.