Building a Community That Walks Together

October marks the first anniversary of Pelham Pathways, Inc. — and what a year it has been.

What began as an idea has grown into a movement to  make Pelham a more inclusive, vibrant, and age-friendly community. With accessible trails, welcoming parks, and multigenerational activities, we’re creating opportunities for everyone to embark on adventures, discover nature, and connect with one another. ( Photo- John Jeanson & family sitting on the bench they dedicated in “Loving Memory of  Marietta Potter (1935-2014) & Joshua Jeanson (1984-2016)”.

Our Mission: Pelham Pathways is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a community where people of all ages and abilities can connect, explore, and thrive. Our town’s outdoor spaces are more than parks and trails — they are places to build relationships, promote wellness, and celebrate Pelham’s natural beauty. Through accessible outdoor recreation, multigenerational programs, and conservation efforts, Pelham Pathways unites volunteers, committees, and local organizations under one mission: to build a more active, accessible, and connected community.

A Legacy of Collaboration: Though Pelham Pathways became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in 2024, our volunteers have been working side-by-side for nearly five years — guiding hikes, raising funds, caring for gardens, and strengthening community ties. When it became clear that a legal entity was needed to support and sustain these efforts, Pelham Pathways was formed to give our volunteers an official identity and a structure capable of securing grants and managing projects responsibly.

Photo – Children’s Pickleball Camp -2025

One Year of Impact: In just our first year, 52 volunteers contributed 3,950 hours of service to Pelham. Together, we:

• Guided hikes through Pelham’s conservation lands, introducing hundreds to our town’s natural treasures.
• Taught beginners the joy of pickleball and hosted the third community tournament.
• Created southern New Hampshire’s first universally accessible nature trail — Virginia’s All Persons Trail — complete with an audio tour, interpretive signage, and a joyful opening attended by more than 100 people.
• Made Celebration Park wheelchair-accessible, built two new shade gardens, including a Hosta garden with 80+ donated plants. (Photo below paving the walkway at the Celebration Park)
• Produced nine educational brochures about Pelham’s conservation areas and town forests — with three more in development.

Each project embodies the same spirit that filled the air during Virginia’s All Persons Trail opening day — a sense of belonging, joy, and pride that comes only when an entire town works together toward something meaningful.

Looking Ahead to 2026: The Pelham Pathways Board of Directors is now setting strategic goals for 2026 and developing a comprehensive fundraising plan. Among the initiatives we’re most excited about:

• Launching a geocache program across all 23 miles of Pelham’s trails
• Partnering with Pulpit Rock Lodge 103 Freemasons to build a new family-friendly park
• Publishing a Pelham Trail Guidebook featuring all local trails
• Expanding the Children’s Pickleball Camp
• Exploring the feasibility of a mountain-bike trail
• Extending the Celebration Park irrigation system

As part of these new efforts, Pelham Pathways will publish volunteer opportunities throughout 2026 and invite community members to join committees that match their interests, skills, and abilities. Whether you’re passionate about trails, gardening, marketing, events, or education — there’s a place for you on the Pelham Pathways team. Together, we can turn great ideas into lasting community achievements.

The Power of Collaboration: How do we know we can accomplish so much? Because collaboration is at the heart of everything we do.

Our successes have only been possible thanks to partnerships with the Pelham Public Library, Parks & Recreation Department, Garden Group, Pulpit Rock Lodge 103, Council on Aging, Conservation Commission, Forestry Committee, Pelham NH Hikers, Bartlett Tree Experts, Greater Salem Rotary Club, and — most importantly — our incredible volunteers.

The Journey Continues:  Just last week, 30+ residents joined a guided hike at Costa Conservation Area, exploring the forest on a crisp fall day and celebrating the sense of community that Pelham Pathways inspires. As we move into our second year, we’re filled with excitement and gratitude — for the friendships formed, the laughter shared, and the legacy we’re building together.

Pelham Pathways isn’t just about trails and parks.
It’s about connection.
It’s about inclusion.
It’s about believing that when we walk together — step by step, wheel by wheel — we can build something extraordinary.

Here’s to another year of walking, rolling, and growing together.
Pelham Pathways — Building Accessible Outdoor Spaces for All.