The Hooksett Conservation Commission (HCC) had a productive fall with trail updates, new signs, a large media event, a new monarch waystation, and ongoing conservation efforts. We are grateful for our collaboration with the Hooksett Heritage Commission, Bear-Paw Regional Greenways, the Hooksett Kiwanis, and Monarch Watch.
Hooksett Riverwalk Trail – Media Event and Heritage Signs
The grand opening of the Brick Kiln Historic Trail Loop was held on a beautiful fall day, October 28th. Distinguished speakers included Dave Hess, a long-time state legislator from Hooksett; Nadine Miller, the deputy state historic preservation officer; Cindy Robertson, HCC chair; and Kathie Northrup, Heritage Commission chair. The HCC unveiled two new signs capturing Hooksett’s brick-making history. This work, in collaboration with the Heritage Commission, shows the industry that took place on the property and served as the economic backbone of our economy for more than 100 years from the 1830s to the 1930s.
HCC Member
Commission Chair
Pinnacle Park Trail Loop
A new trail loop was built from the Pinnacle Trail back to the parking lot. New trail markers are being installed to mark distance and direction.
The trail work was provided by Bear-Paw Regional Greenways, the Student Conservation Association, and AmeriCorps. Bear-Paw stewardship coordinator Rue Teel is working on the new trail signage.
Head’s Pond Trail Markers and Bog Bridges
Led by Dr. Al Stein and the Hooksett Kiwanis, two new trail markers and 150-feet of bog bridges were installed at Head’s Pond. The bridges will make the trails more passable during heavy rains and spring thaw. This work was funded through a $5,000 grant from Walmart.
New Monarch Waystation on Hooksett Riverwalk Trail
Two Hooksett residents contacted the HCC in 2020 when they observed fields being mowed toward the end of the monarch feeding season on the Hooksett Riverwalk Trail. The HCC jumped into action by contracting with Osprey Ecological to research the fields and determine optimal mowing times for conservation concerns. As a result, the fields will no longer be mowed when monarchs are breeding and feeding on the milkweed. The site has now been proclaimed as a Monarch Waystation by Monarch Watch, a non-profit dedicated to the preservation of the monarch butterfly.
Dogs on Trails
While we love our dogs in Hooksett, residents have voiced multiple complaints regarding:
- Bagged poop left on trails
- Dogs running off leash
Dog owners are reminded to be responsible and keep trails enjoyable for all visitors, dogs and humans! Per town ordinance, littering (ordinance #00-33) and unrestrained dogs (ordinance #00-4) are punishable by fines and forfeiture. Let’s be good neighbors.
HOOKSETT CONSERVATION COMMISSION 
Thank you so much for taking steps to preserve habitat for the monarchs. I was one of the people who contacted you and I was thrilled to see a portion of the habitat left intact this past summer.
Will the area nearest the river continue to be mowed? If so, could advance notice be given so the monarchs can be moved?
The new brick kiln trail adds a nice walk through the woods. So enjoyable and it has quite a lot of milkweed, as well.
A side note on unleashed dogs: the chemicals in flea/tick treatments – collars, pills, ointments – are lethal to monarchs. Dogs need to stay on the trails.
Thank you again!
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Thank you for bringing this to our attention. The areas near the river as you enter the property are privately owned and maintained by the owners. The field further into the property (where the maintained trail currently ends) is included in the mowing schedule. It was mowed by accident this year as part of the previous scheduled maintenance. It will not be mowed during monarch season in upcoming years. I have made a note regarding dogs off-leash. It is a town ordinance that dogs be leashed in public areas. -JoCarol Woodburn, Hooksett Conservation Commission, member
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