RECREATION

1.0 Introduction

Located in the coastal region of New Hampshire, Stratham is home to a number of recreational facilities which are heavily used by local residents and also those of abutting communities. Stratham residents are active participants and volunteers in the many programs offered through the Town’s Recreation Department, particularly the youth team sports leagues. Outdoor facility needs for these sports (i.e. ball fields and soccer fields) have been met to date through the multiple use of all available field space. Baseball outfields, for example, become soccer fields depending on the season. Due to the availability of only one gym in town, indoor sports facility space and time is limited. Individual recreation needs (fishing, hiking, etc.) are met through the availability of Town and State owned boat launches on the Squamscott River, hiking and bicycle trails throughout town, and a variety of programs available through the Recreation Department. In addition, many residents are able to take advantage of nearby regional recreation opportunities such as swimming and picnicking at state beaches, boating/fishing in Great Bay, or skiing and hiking in the nearby White Mountains.

The importance of recreation to general health and quality of life in a community is widely accepted. Recreational opportunities including organized group sports and activities, as well as passive outdoor recreation contribute to individual enjoyment and education, and perhaps most importantly, to the sense of community in Stratham. As the residential population grows, the Town will need to enhance its commitment to recreation by maintaining the quality of and access to all its existing facilities and programs and by expanding them as needed to accommodate growth. This chapter will review existing recreational facilities and programs in Stratham, examine whether they meet the needs of the community, and make recommendations for improvements.

2.0 Recreation Commission

Stratham maintains a Recreation Commission and Recreation Department to oversee Town sponsored recreational activities and facilities. The Recreation Commission’s mission is to provide “the residents of Stratham the opportunity to participate in varied activities including, but not limited to, team sports and individual athletics (i.e. aerobics, skiing), dances, special events, concerts, etc.” The Recreation Commission is dedicated to promoting fellowship, spirit, and good will in the Town of Stratham through the dedication of volunteers who organize events, scheduled on a year round basis and available to all ranges of age and ability.

The Recreation Department has one full time employee. The department’s first Recreation Director was hired in September of 2006. Members of the Recreation Commission (7-9) are appointed by the Selectmen and serve on an unpaid, volunteer basis. The Commission overseas not only the organization of these leagues, but many other programs available to residents. In 2007 adult programs in soccer, pottery class, water color, bocce ball, horseshoes, yoga class, tai chi class fitness & exercise programs, as well as a Quilting Club were offered. In addition, the Recreation Commission sponsors a summer camp program for elementary school children, senior citizen bus trips arranged through the Stratham 76ers Club, an annual preschool/primary grades Easter egg hunt, Halloween party, a fifth grade graduation dance, as well as youth pottery youth yoga, water color & drawing classes, a creative movement class, tap class & a pre-jazz program.

The Recreation Commission organizes a highly successful volunteer youth sports program. According to statistics recently compiled by the Commission, and shown below in Table R-1 (see page 6-2), there were more than 1,100 participants in the youth sports programs in 2006-2007.

As indicated, there has been a steady and significant increase in participation within Stratham recreational programs in the over the last 10 years. Knowing this information, the Recreation Commission hired its first Recreation Director in September of 2006. Having a Recreation Director should only improve programming.

TABLE R-1

Levels of Participation in Youth Recreation Activities

Activity	Number of Participants
	1993	1994	1995	1996	2007
Soccer-Girls & Boys (Ages 6-14 years)	388	400+	420	440	397
Basketball-Girls & Boys (Ages 7-12 years)	200+	200+	200+	200+	228
Basketball-Girls & Boys (Grades 7 & 8)	n/a	30+	30+	30+	n/a
Baseball-Girls & Boys ( Ages 6-14 years)	321	350+	380	400+	294
T-Ball- Girls & Boys (Ages 6 years)	50	50+	50+	50+
Babe Ruth- Girls & Boys (Ages 13-15 years)	30+	30+	35+	40+	53
Softball- Girls (Grades 1-6)	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	130
Lacrosse-Girls & Boys (Grades 1-6)	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	59
Summer Program-Girls & Boys (Grades 1-5) ****	80+	70+	75+	75+	75+
Total Participation	1069+	1130+	1190	1235+	1183+

**** There is one full time employee, the Recreation Director and only 5 paid employees for the Summer Program. Many of the Volunteers have become involved with programming because their children have participated in the various school ages programs which the Recreation Commission offers.

Source: Stratham Recreation Commission

While participation has increased, funding has also increased, as indicated in Table R-2 (see page 6-3), compiled from Annual Town Reports from 1986 to present. Funds for Parks and Recreation are used for maintenance of the Stratham Hill Park, Stevens Park, the Municipal Building grounds and the New Hampshire Community Technical College fields; the Recreation Commission budget pays for one (1) full time Recreation Director and up front costs associated with the various volunteer recreation programs. As in many smaller communities, programs offered through Stratham’s Recreation Department are largely a volunteer effort.

TABLE R-2

Annual Budget for Town

Recreation Department/Activities

Fiscal Year	Parks and Recreation (Stratham Hill Park)	Recreation Commission/Department
1986	$20,900	$14,800
1987	$20,200	$17,160
1988	$20,450	$17,836
1989	$21,360	$24,245
1990	$20,825	$24,140
1991	$23,060	$27,855
1992	$20,154	$28,650
1993	$24,860	$40,800
1994	$25,060	$30,100
1995	$25,210	$3,100
1996	$27,010	$27,000
1997	$30,419	$23,400
1998	$35,566	$25,300
1999	$33,782	$28,200
2000	$34,821	$40,600
2001	$44,183	$50,750
2002	$45,878	$52,500
2003	$57,290	$49,100
2004	$59,384	$44,000
2005	$61,164	$43,544
2006	$ 64,575	$60,100

Due to their volunteer makeup and self supporting structure, the recreation programs in Stratham are very flexible and able to respond to the changing interests and desires of the community. With guidance from the Recreation Commission, regarding appropriateness of the activity, residents can use the structure and support of the Recreation Department to create any new programs that they would like to see offered as long as the time and space is available. Most programs are financially self sufficient with registration fees offsetting the costs of regular operations and equipment. Major facilities upkeep is an exception with these costs reflected in the Recreation budgets shown above. The time and space availability of facilities are one of the major responsibilities of the Recreation Commission. It coordinates scheduling of facilities and, in some cases, maintenance (i.e. mowing and irrigation) of in-town facilities which are owned by at least three different bodies - The State, the Town and the School Department. To accomplish this, the Recreation Department maintains close interrelationships with the Selectmen and Highway Department, the School Board, Stratham Hill Park Association, the New Hampshire Community Technical College, and many other related organizations.

3.0 Existing Recreational Facilities

Stratham has a number of outstanding recreational facilities which accommodate activities as diverse as outdoor and indoor team sports, hiking, boating, and picnicking. The following is a description of the main facilities in the community that are used for recreational purposes. The list includes facilities owned and maintained by Stratham as well as others which the Town “hosts”. A list of recreation land owned by the Town, School, State or other groups is provided on Table R‑3. The location of each of the recreational facility sites is shown on Map R-1 -- Recreational Facilities Map (see page 6-5).

TABLE R‑3

Stratham Recreation Land Map Index

Index #	Facility	Owner	Acres
1	Stratham Hill Park (Tuck and Noyes land combined)	Town	108
2	Stratham Municipal Complex	Town	9
3	Gifford Farm	Town	126.2
4	Stratham Elementary School	Town/School District	38.7
5	Town Landing (River Road)	Town	1.5
6	Chapman’s Landing (College Rd.)	State of New Hampshire	4
7	N.H. Technical College — playing fields	New Hampshire Community Technical College	91
8	Sandy Point Discovery Center	State of New Hampshire (GBMERR)	50
9	Stevens Park	Town	20

Map R-1 -- Recreational Facilities Map

Town-Owned Facilities

Stratham Hill Park

Stratham Hill Park is the centerpiece of all of Stratham’s recreational facilities. Given to the Town in 1905 by Edward Tuck of Paris, France, for one dollar, the park originally contained 70 acres “more or less”. (FN) The 1905 deed said in part:

“The conditions of this conveyance are that the trees upon said land shall be preserved, with additions and renewals from time to time, and that the property be maintained in at least as good condition as in the past for the free use and enjoyment of the people of Stratham, Exeter, Portsmouth and other adjacent towns for all time, hat no part of said premises shall ever be leased to private individuals or to corporations and that said premises shall be a public park and pleasure ground forever. The said town of Stratham to have control of said land with the power to make all necessary by-laws in regulating the use of the same, but no by-law shall be enacted depriving law abiding citizens from the above towns from the free use, enjoyment and occupation thereof. (FN2)”

The park was expanded in 1968 when the Town purchased about 38 acres from David C. And Elizabeth Noyes. The Noyes parcel came without any deed restrictions, and thus the use of that land can be limited to Stratham residents. The developed part of the 108 acre park contains numerous facilities, as listed below. Some are shown on Map R-2 (see page 6-7) , a recent site plan of the Park.

Park Facilities

-- three ball field diamonds (60’ base paths);

-- space for two large soccer fields when baseball outfield areas are included (or potentially five junior soccer fields for primary grade use);

-- one paved basketball court; a lighted, outdoor skating rink area;

-- three pavilions with picnic tables, including one large pavilion with toilet facilities and nearby children’s play equipment, and a second pavilion with another playground area including swings and a slide,

-- three concession/storage buildings;

-- a horse pulling area/a natural amphitheater;

-- two garage/storage buildings (a one bay and a two bay structure);

-- three 4-H buildings (two open stall animal pavilions and one large enclosed exhibition hall;

-- 2 fenced corrals near the middle of the 4-H buildings;

-- a caretaker’s residence;

-- The David C. Noyes Concert Stage

-- seasonal handicap toilet facilities, and

-- a large parking lot.

A full-time Park Ranger maintains Stratham Hill Park, but no longer lives on the grounds.

A paved roadway winds through the Park accessing many of the buildings. The forested part of park contains Stratham Hill. A gravel roadway leads to the summit of Stratham Hill. For 40 years, it was used by the State as a Forest Fire Lookout Station. The Fire Tower still remains and is an exciting and steep climb for many Park visitors. There is a coast and geodetic triangulation point at the tower and a table describing the view. Since the park contains the second highest hill in Stratham (elevation 286 feet), there are particularly scenic views of Great Bay and the surrounding communities.

Map-R2

GOES HERE

A recent Site Plan of the Park

The park is widely used as a recreation facility. Groups use the playing fields for youth and adult baseball, softball and soccer. Scheduling for the fields’ use during prime sports seasons is handled by the Recreation Department. Numerous organizations and local companies use the whole facility for picnics, and recreation field days. Additionally, Stratham Hill Park has been used for wedding receptions, business outings, Cub Scout camp overnights, family reunions, birthday parties and a variety of other functions. Reservations for the use of Stratham Hill Park are made through the Town Administrator’s office, with functions often scheduled a year in advance. The number and variety of uses indicates that this facility provides regional recreational opportunities for area residents and is in keeping with the original intention of the Tuck gift. The park is well known for the four day Stratham Fair, which has been held annually, in July, since 1968. Proceeds from the Fair benefit of the Stratham Volunteer Fire Department, Stratham Hill Park and many other community groups.

The park is managed by the Stratham Hill Park Association, formed as an advisory group to the Board of Selectmen and incorporated with the State of New Hampshire in 1957. Any resident with an interest in the Park can become a member of the Association. This association oversees funds that have been donated to the Park Association for specific repairs and improvements and raises funds, through proceeds from the Stratham Fair and other events. Additional funds, such as those provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), were used in August of 1991, when Stratham Hill Park was heavily damaged by a freak wind storm. Volunteer efforts, federal funds and other monetary and time contributions were made to rebuild pavilions, restrooms, and other areas damaged by the storm.

Gifford Farm Property

In 1985, the Town of Stratham voted to acquire the Gifford Farm, a 164.9 acre parcel, including a large farmhouse, barn and open agricultural land. The property abuts Stratham Hill Park and is located between Gifford Farm Road and Route 33/Portsmouth Avenue in Stratham. A portion of this property, 38.7 acres, was later transferred to the School Department in March of 1987 for the construction of Stratham’s elementary school. A trail system exists that connects the Gifford Farm parcel with trails through Stratham Hill Park and Stratham Memorial School. With approximately 125 acres of the original Gifford Farm land acquisition remaining, there is ample opportunity for new development of nature trails, and other active and passive recreational facilities and/or uses. Since the Town’s acquisition of this site, the parcel’s agricultural land is, when possible, leased for farming. A Town Forest, consisting of approximately 82+/- acres of the site was created by Town Meeting Action in 1994. The forest is managed by the Conservation Commission. See the “Gifford Farm” section in Chapter 5, Community Facilities for more information.

Stevens Park

Stevens Park is another great facility that the Town of Stratham owns. The Stratham Recreation Department & the Selectmen have been working diligently on developing this property for Recreational purposes. In 2002, two (2) multi-purpose fields were created. These fields are currently used for Lacrosse & Soccer Programs. Neighboring towns and programs can reserve/rent Stevens Park fields, for a small fee. These fields can be reserved/rented through the Stratham Recreation Department office. In the summer of 2007, two (2) tennis courts and a Playground were developed. The tennis courts are for public use and no reservations are necessary, except if one would like to hold private tennis lessons. If private tennis lessons are desired, courts can be reserved/rented at the Stratham Recreation Department office. In December of 2006, the Stratham Recreation Playground Committee was developed to raise funds for a state of the art Playground facility. Over $40,000 was raised by the committee, allowing Phase One of the Playground project to be completed on June 2, 2007. Over $35,000 is needed to complete Phase 2 by the spring of 2008. In the future, Stevens Park will house an additional 2 baseball/softball fields, and a pavilion.

Stratham Memorial School

In September 1989 Stratham opened the doors to a new elementary school, converting the old school to house the current Municipal Center and the Wiggin Library. In addition to the construction of the elementary school classrooms and office areas, the building includes a large gymnasium with a full size basketball court and bleachers. The gym can also be divided by a curtain to provide two smaller basketball courts. Adjoining the gym is a large storage room and bathroom facilities, both of which also exit to the outside field areas allowing these two areas to be available on weekends, without opening the gym or the school, when the outdoor fields are being used. The gym is heavily used throughout the school year with physical education classes during the day, the S.A.F.E. after school day care program in the afternoons, and Recreation Department programs each weekday evening and all weekend long. Other indoor facilities in the school include a large cafetorium and stage. The stage is handicapped accessible and opens in the back to a multi-tiered music room which can serve as a back stage area for performances. Adjacent to the cafetorium is a large industrial kitchen. There is also an art room with a large kiln facility.

The outdoor field areas were built as multi-use fields. Included are two defined ball field diamonds (60’ base paths) with backstops. The remaining field area has the ability to support at least one full size soccer field or up to 4 junior fields when outfield space is included. These field areas are heavily used throughout the year for physical education classes, recess space and Recreation Department sports programs taking place on weekday evenings and weekends. Due to this heavy use, a new well and irrigation system were recently added.

The outdoor complex also includes an outdoor basketball court, a physical fitness course of chin-up stations, overhead ladders, etc., and a large playground area, which was built entirely with volunteer efforts. The playground includes an extensive tire playground area with swings, climbing sections and rings and is widely used in the summer and after school for recreation.

Municipal Center

Converted to Municipal Offices in 1989, this former elementary school is located on a nine acre parcel close to the intersection of Bunker Hill Road and Route 108. In 1991 the Recreation Department, largely through volunteer efforts, developed a regulation League sized softball field behind the municipal center. The field, named for Gail Binette, the former chairperson of the Recreation Committee, is heavily used by softball teams throughout the Spring and Summer and can also accommodate junior soccer play in the Fall. A small playground area donated by a local Girl Scout Troop completes the site.

The Stratham Municipal Complex also contains a cafetorium with a stage and kitchen. Smaller in size than the school’s, this area is a popular site used frequently by the 76ers Club, the Boy Scouts, Recreation Department programs and fitness classes, as well as family anniversary parties and other functions and meetings. The annual Town Meeting and elections are also held in this room.

Town Landing

The Town of Stratham owns and maintains a 1.5 acre parcel of land known as the Town Landing located at the end of River Road and abutting the Squamscott River. The site provides Stratham residents with public access to the river and parking for several trailers and vehicles and a paved boat launching facility. In addition to water access, the site is a popular entry point to the river for ice fishing in winter. Since the area is tidal, access and use are limited. The area was substantially improved in 1994 with assistance from the Boy Scouts by expanding the cleared area, and installing picnic tables and signs.

Conservation Commission Land

The Conservation Commission oversees many acres of land, which are used for passive recreation, such as hiking, walking, bird-watching, and picnicking. The Stratham Conservation Commission either owns outright a number of these parcels of land which are open for public use or oversees conservation restrictions or easements for land protection on other properties.

Non-Town Facilities

New Hampshire Community Technical College

Located on Portsmouth Avenue, the state-owned New Hampshire Community Technical College has several ball fields and soccer fields that it allows the Stratham Recreation Committee to use for its programs. The fields, located behind the school, include a hardball field (90’ base paths), two softball fields (60’ base paths) and two soccer fields. One soccer field overlaps with the softball fields, so all fields can not be used simultaneously. There is no inside recreation facility at the College. There are also no bathroom facilities. Although the fields are state owned, the Recreation Department manages the scheduling of the fields, maintains the facility and arranges funds for their maintenance.

Chapman’s Landing

Chapman’s Landing is located on the Stratham side of the Route 108 bridge across the Squamscott River. It was originally acquired in 1984 by the State through funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide a public access site for the river. The seven acre site was substantially upgraded in 1990 included a paved parking area, concrete boat launch ramp, and chemical toilet facility. A private residence adjacent to the parking area is currently held in a life trust and will one day become part of the public holding at the site.

Great Bay Discovery Center

The Sandy Point Discovery Center, which opened in 1994, is an interpretative educational center occupying a 50 acre site along the Squamscott River on Depot Road. Designed as an educational resource for the Seacoast area, the Center consists of a building which houses displays and exhibits about the Great Bay and its ecology, a lab and training classroom, a car-top boat launch, as well as a self-interpretative trail and boardwalk crossing freshwater wetlands and salt marsh along the river. The site straddles the Stratham/Greenland town line, with the Discovery Center building located in Greenland, and most of the shoreline property in Stratham. The site was acquired with funds from the NH Land Conservation Investment Program (LCIP) and developed with support of the NH Coastal Program and Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (GBNERR). The GBNERR staffs and runs the facility; it is open to the public and used extensively by local schools and organizations for environmental education. The Hugh Gregg Coastal Conservation Center, constructed in 2005, is a modern education facility that provides valuable meeting space as well as exhibits on the upland habitats of the Great Bay Watershed.  Built in the old New England post and beam style barn, this facility has several sustainable design features, including a geothermal heating and cooling system and composting toilets.  The large and airy meeting space can hold up to 225 people and is ideal for presentations or can be reconfigured for training sessions with tables.  Adjacent to the Great Bay Discovery Center, the grounds are beautifully landscaped and feature several hiking tails.

Other Public/Private Facilities and Programs

The Exeter Parks and Recreation Department maintains the Exeter Recreation Park located near the former County Courthouse building on Hampton Road. This recreational facility, located in Exeter can be used by Stratham residents and other members of Supervisory Union #16. This facility, which was built with federal funds, includes six tennis courts, a basketball court, three baseball/soccer fields and an outdoor swimming pool.

Programs offered through the Exeter Recreation Department are also often available to Stratham residents on a space available basis. Exeter residents are often allowed an earlier sign up period and non-residents usually pay an increased program fee.

There are also a number of area recreational facilities such as the Portsmouth YMCA that offer recreational programs and facilities on a regional basis. Individual and family passes are available for reasonable fees at facilities such as Phillips Exeter Academy, the Portsmouth ‘Y’, and numerous fitness clubs.

In past years the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts have offered traditional programs, which have included nature and sailing programs. The 4-H club has also been available to those youngsters interested in a diverse number of activities, including but not limited to agriculture and farming.

4.0 Analysis of Needs

State Recreational Standards

The N.H. Office of State Planning has developed guidelines to assist communities in planning for their recreational needs. Table R-4(see page 6-12) lists recreational facility standards as they appear in OSP’s 1989 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. These standards were applied to Stratham based on a 1994 OSP population estimate of 5393.

While these standards can be useful in understanding facility needs in an “average” community of a certain size, they are not meant to prescribe specific needs in a specific community. These standards, for example, may point to a facility need where, due to changing local recreation interests, no such need exists, and vice-versa. Nonetheless, a reasoned review of Stratham’s existing recreation facilities compared to these standards does tend to support several facility needs that the Recreation Commission has previously recognized.

It appears that for most of the applicable facility types, Stratham meets or exceeds the published standard. The exceptions are: Recreation building, basketball court; boat/fishing access and swimming beach/pool. The Recreation Commission has indicated that existing baseball & softball diamonds does not always meet demand. This is also true of basketball facilities. In 2006-2007, it was determined and implemented that site prep for a new ball field (softball/baseball) would begin in the summer of 2007. Boat and fishing access appear adequate for the boating and fishing opportunities that exist within the Town. Regarding swimming beaches, there is no open water in Stratham with public access that would lend itself to such a facility. On the other hand, public beaches abound in the neighboring Towns of Rye, No. Hampton and Hampton and residents may also use the outdoor pool in Exeter.

The volunteer Recreation Committee has seen a significant increase in participation in its programs in the last ten years. While the Town has made some effort to provide additional facilities to accommodate this increase in recreational users, the Recreation Committee has often been challenged by lack of field space and/or volunteers to run existing programs or to expand to programs requested by the Stratham community. As the residential population grows, these challenges will become greater and the need to expand recreational programs, facilities and support can be expected to increase.

TABLE R-4

Selected Standards for Outdoor Recreation Facilities

Facilities	Standard per 1000 Population	Standard Applied to Stratham				Current Facilities
		1996	2000	2005	2015*
Baseball diamonds	1.1	5 - 6	7	8	10	9
Basketball courts	0.8	4	5	6	7	3
Boat/fishing access	1.8	10	11 - 12	13	16	3
Golf courses (18 holes)	0.04	0	0	0	0	0
Gymnasiums	0.25	1	1 - 2	2	2	2
Ice skating area	0.14	1	1	1	1	1
Open space/natural areas (ac.)	51	275	326	362	453	>275
Picnic tables	8	43	51	57	71	50+
Parks, community (ac.)	6	32	38	42 - 43	53	108
Playgrounds (town & school)	0.5	3	3	3 - 4	4	4
Playgrounds (acres)	2.1	11	13	15	19	>11
Skiing (x-country areas)	0.1	1	1	1	1	1+
Soccer/Lacrosse fields	0.16	1	1	1	1	5+
Swimming beach	0.5	3	3	3 - 4	4	0
Tennis courts	0.95	5	6	7	8	2
Trails, hiking (miles)	2.2	12	14	16	20	unknown

Town population as received from the US Census (http://www.nhes.state.nh.us/elmi/htmlprofiles/stratham.html) in 2000 was 6,395, 2005 was 7,098. *Population estimate for 2015 based on Preliminary 1997 OSP Population Projection for Stratham of 8,963 in 2015.

Standards based on NH Office of State Planning 1989 State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. There has been an updated plan done, but it was not available as of 9/03/07.

5.0 Recommendations

Based on the existing number and types of facilities and the number of volunteers participating in the creation of the recreational programs, as well as expected further growth in the residential population, the following objectives and actions are recommended: (unless otherwise noted, these recommendations should be carried out by the Recreation Commission)

1. Parks & Recreation Department

and Recreation Commission

Ø Continue the Town’s current approach of meeting recreational activity needs with self-supporting, volunteer-oriented programs.

Ø Closely monitor the adequacy of existing staffing levels of the Recreation Department to fulfill the Town’s needs and respond by hiring a full time Director and by enhancing the volunteer program.

Ø Consider establishing recreational opportunities with appropriate facilities, as needs arise.

Ø Improve public awareness of the recreational programs offered in Stratham through publication of an informational brochure, electronic notification and maintain a website.

2. Facility Maintenance

Ø Work with municipal officials on developing a plan for coordinated maintenance of recreational facilities.

Ø Conduct a yearly assessment of the condition of each facility and include major improvements and upgrades in the Town’s capital improvements program.

Ø Monitor funding for maintenance of recreational facilities particularly those facilities that are heavily used.

Ø Coordinate maintenance of existing facilities with various user groups.

3. New Facilities and Programs

Ø Periodically review the need to expand or alter existing programs based on demonstrated interest and the ability to gain support for the programs through user fee or other means.

Ø Continue a facilities needs analysis to identify needs based on existing and anticipated recreational program of the Town. The needs analysis should specifically address the needs for a new softball field, basketball courts, swimming facility, a pavilion and walking track.

Ø Continue to utilize the Town’s capital improvements program for developing new or expanded recreational facilities identified in the needs analysis.

Ø Work with the Stratham Board of Selectmen and other Municipal Officials to seek out funds, including grants, to acquire necessary facilities, or additional program support to carry out the objectives of the Stratham Recreation Committee ten year capital improvements plan and town capital improvements plan.

Ø Develop new facilities and improve existing facilities in accordance with ADA standards.

Ø Continue arrangement with the Exeter Region Cooperative School District and New Hampshire Community Technical College to determine town use of their facilities and then reevaluate the arrangement in relation to the results of the facilities needs analysis.

4. Outdoor Recreation/Conservation

Ø Coordinate Recreation Department future needs with Conservation Commission plans wherever common objectives can be met.

Ø Develop a master plan for the use of the Gifford Farm property which balances active and passive recreation as well as the conservation needs of the site. The property master plan could be a joint effort by the Recreation and Conservation Commissions.

Ø Coordinate scheduled recreational activities with the Conservation Commission and other environmental groups, such as the Sandy Point Education Center to offer recreational opportunities with an environmental/natural resources focus.

Ø Seek to establish a network of trails with shelters linking public conservation and recreation by interconnecting, through easements and other agreements with landowners. The Planning Board should seek to establish trail corridors when reviewing development proposals that include open space set-asides or conservation easements.

Ø Conduct an inventory of possible recreation land sites that may become available for donation/acquisition and target those that are most desirable for public acquisition.

Ø Encourage developers of large subdivisions to donate a portion of their parcels for use by the residents of the Town.

Ø Increase funding for open space acquisition, enhancement and protection.