Pelham Pathways

06/03/2026

Hi Everyone,

I know Saturday, June 6th is a very busy day in Pelham. It is Pelham High School graduation day, and many families already have full calendars with celebrations, sports, recitals, errands, and weekend commitments. But even on a busy day, I hope you will consider taking a little time for yourself, your family, and our beautiful conservation lands.

Pelham Pathways invites you to participate in the National Trails Day Conservation Quest, a free, town-wide outdoor activity that encourages people of all ages to explore Pelham’s conservation trails, learn something new about nature, and enjoy the simple pleasure of walking outdoors.

You do not need to spend the whole day. You can stop by, register, choose a trail, take a walk, answer a few fun conservation questions, and return your completed form to be entered into our free raffle. Prizes include gift certificates to local restaurants and other wonderful items, valued at $25 or more.

Date: Saturday, June 6th
Register: 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Pelham Veterans Memorial Park
Raffle: Free Conservation Quest Raffle

Sometimes the best thing we can do on a busy day is take a break, breathe deeply, walk in the woods, listen to the birds, and remember why Pelham’s natural spaces matter. Whether you come for 30 minutes or a few hours, your participation helps show community support for Pelham’s trails, conservation lands, and outdoor recreation. Please consider joining us. Bring a friend, bring your family, or come on your own for a peaceful walk and a chance to win a raffle prize.

We would love to see you on the trails.

Warmly,
Yvonne La-Garde
Pelham Pathways
A Community Trail Coalition Activity

05/28/2026

Over the past several months, many of you have heard us speak about Harmony Park at Pulpit Rock — a small but meaningful conservation and community project being developed through a partnership between Pelham Pathways and Pulpit Rock Lodge #103. Today, I want to speak from the heart about why this project matters so deeply. Like many of you, I feel the rising cost of everything around us. Gas prices rise. Food prices rise. Fertilizer, lumber, plants, utilities — it all seems to increase faster than inflation. I know this makes it difficult to ask people to donate to community projects, even ones they believe in. But Harmony Park is not simply another project. It is an investment in the future of Pelham.

“This land is worth protecting.”

For 18 months, I had the privilege of serving on the Town Master Plan Subcommittee. During that time, I listened carefully to residents at focus groups, public forums, and community discussions. People often disagreed on many issues — how Pelham should grow, how traffic should be managed, what services the town needs most. But there was one thing almost everyone agreed upon. People love the rural character of Pelham. It is why many families move here. It is why longtime residents have stayed here for generations. It is why so many people worry about the rapid overdevelopment spreading across southern New Hampshire.

Open land is disappearing.
Quiet places are disappearing.
The feeling that Pelham is still connected to nature is disappearing.

Harmony Park may only protect five acres, but every protected acre matters. Every accessible walking trail matters. Every pollinator garden matters. Every place where a grandparent can walk with a grandchild instead of looking at another housing development matters. This project is about preserving a small piece of what makes Pelham special before it is gone forever.

Harmony Park will create:
Accessible walking trails for older adults and families
Pollinator gardens and native plantings
Benches and peaceful gathering spaces
Outdoor educational opportunities for children
A permanently stewarded green space open to the public from dawn to dusk

Most importantly, it will preserve land from future development and create a legacy for future generations. We are not asking for enormous donations. In truth, if enough people gave a little, we could accomplish something extraordinary together. If 100 people donated $100, we would raise $10,000. If 200 people donated $50, we would raise another $10,000. Small gifts, when combined across a caring community, become powerful.

If you value the rural character of Pelham…
If you believe future generations deserve access to nature…
If you want to leave behind something meaningful rather than simply watching more land disappear…

Please consider making a donation to Harmony Park. Donations can be made online through the Pelham Pathways Donate Page. When donating, you may direct your contribution specifically to “Harmony Park at Pulpit Rock.” Donations may also be mailed to:

Pelham Pathways
103 Dutton Road
Pelham, NH 03076

No donation is too small. Truly. If every person reading this gave even a modest amount, together we could fully fund Harmony Park and preserve something beautiful for future generations.

This is how communities protect what matters.

Together.

With gratitude,
Yvonne La-Garde
Chairperson, Pelham Pathways

https://pelhampathways.com/donate-now/

05/27/2026

Calling all Picklers,
Just a reminder to join us for our Gift Card Bingo at the Hobbs Center on Friday, May 29, at 6:00 PM. We encourage you to bring your friends and family along for the event. We have over $800 worth of Gift Cards.

To ensure we have the appropriate number of tables and chairs set up, we would appreciate it if you could let us know if you plan to attend and how many guests will be joining you. You may pay at the door if necessary.

It takes all of us working together to maintain these courts, and we truly appreciate the many donations of gift cards to be used as prizes for the evening.

We look forward to seeing you there! See the flyer here.

05/15/2026

Mark your calendars for June 6th
Dont forget we also have a hike coming up on May 23rd at Raymond Park 10:30am.

05/02/2026

National Volunteer Appreciation Week – April 19 to April 25

National Volunteer Appreciation Week honors individuals who give their time and talents to strengthen communities. Pelham Pathways is proud of the volunteers who make our trails, events, parks and pickleball programs possible.

2025: 48 volunteers contributed 4,335 hours

2026 so far: 34 volunteers have contributed 1,930 hours

Projected 2026 total: 5,790 volunteer hours

Every hour given helps maintain trails, improve access, protect natural spaces, promote intergenerational activities & healthy aging, and build stronger community connections. Thank you to every volunteer who makes this work possible.

05/01/2026

Voices from the Trail

“I played hooky this morning and had a lovely walk on Virginia’s All Persons Trail. The little stream is clear and beautiful. I walked through the woods then came out and sat in the sunshine. My thanks to all of the Pelham Pathways people who made this possible. It is really lovely.” — Janet Ceasar

“Thank you to the crew of people who made this project possible for all to enjoy nature. We met many people, some with friendly dogs and a gentleman with a bag of feed for the birds he enjoyed. It was a great day to finally get out seeking sunny days.” — Kyle

(Photo - Kyle from Goffstown)

04/29/2026

Guided Hike: Elmer G. Raymond Memorial Park (Raymond Park)
May 23 | 10:30 AM

Your guide is Brett Gagnon, local winemaker and abutter to the park who knows this land like
only a neighbor can. About two-thirds of the way through the hike, Brett will host a complimentary wine tasting & appetizer stop at his home.
Yes. This is a hike. Yes. There is a tasting stop. Pelham Pathways does not mess around. Expect
scenic trails, nature talk, great company, and a relaxed tasting break.

Checking availability…

04/29/2026

The Community Trail Coalition, sponsored by Pelham Pathways, offers guided hikes designed to connect residents with nature, local history, and one another. These hikes are led by volunteers who share their love of Pelham’s trails while helping participants safely explore forests, ponds, wildlife habitat, and conservation areas. The program welcomes beginners, families, seasoned hikers, and anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors in good company.

https://pelhampathways.com/communitytrailscoalition/guided-hikes/

How to Register for a Guided Hike

Registering is easy. Visit the Pelham Pathways website, go to the Community Trail Coalition section, and click on Guided Hikes Registration. There you can view upcoming hikes, reserve your space, and receive event details. Since many hikes fill quickly, early registration is encouraged.

Spots Still Available – Upcoming Guided Hikes

Elmer G. Raymond Memorial Park – May 23 at 10:30 AM

There are still spaces available for this special guided hike and wine tasting experience. Raymond Park is one of Pelham’s most scenic and diverse conservation areas, featuring wooded trails, hidden forest paths, and a hilltop view toward the Boston skyline on a clear day.

National Trails Day – June 6

Celebrate National Trails Day by exploring Pelham’s trail network. Participants may choose one or more conservation areas, complete a fun trail challenge, and enter raffles for prizes. Registration begins at Pelham Veteran’s Memorial Park at 8:30 AM.

Cutter Woods Guided Hike – June 10 at 5:30 PM

Join us for an early evening hike through Cutter Woods featuring the Crazy Hat Trail Parade. Wear your silliest, most stylish, or most outrageous hat and enjoy a fun summer walk followed by an optional dinner gathering at Kelari Taverna & Bar.

Merriam Farm Conservation Area – June 13 at 10:00 AM

Come enjoy Strolling & Storytelling on Virginia’s All Persons Trail, a welcoming universally accessible trail designed so everyone can experience nature together. Participants can also enjoy optional audio stories and trail insights during the walk.

04/24/2026

Pelham Pathways would like to extend our sincere thanks to Mario Verolla, Store Manager of Hannaford Supermarkets at 150 Bridge Street in Pelham, for his extraordinary generosity in supporting the Community Trail Coalition’s 2026 guided hike season. Mario and the Hannaford team have donated more than 450 bottles of water and an equal number of protein bars to help stock our hikes throughout the year. This remarkable contribution will ensure that Pelham Pathways can continue offering free guided hikes that are open to everyone in our community.

Their support goes far beyond refreshments—it helps create welcoming, healthy, and accessible outdoor experiences for residents of all ages. Community partnerships like this are what make Pelham such a special place. We are deeply grateful to Mario Verolla and Hannaford for stepping up in such a meaningful way and helping us encourage recreation, wellness, and connection through nature. Please join us in thanking Mario and Hannaford for their outstanding community spirit and commitment to Pelham.

To learn more about Pelham Pathways Guided Hikes check out; https://pelhampathways.com/communitytrailscoalition/guided-hikes/

04/15/2026

Guided Hike: Cutler–Spalding Conservation Area
May 3 | 1:00 PM

Your guide is Paul Gagnon, longtime Conservation Commission member and one of the most
knowledgeable people around on the history of Pelham’s conservation lands. Paul will share:
�� the story of a major fire that shaped the land
�� how the forest recovered
�� fascinating local conservation history

Peaceful woods, wildlife signs, and that magical “I’m in the middle of nowhere but still in
Pelham” feeling included.

Checking availability…