Bringing Nature Within Everyone’s Reach
Nature belongs to us all, but for many—whether due to age, mobility challenges, or other disabilities—accessing the outdoors is not always possible. Here in Pelham, we’re leading the charge to change that. Pelham Pathways, in collaboration with the Town of Pelham, the Parks & Recreation Department, and the Forestry Committee’s Trails Sub-Committee, is excited to announce a transformative project: the All Persons Trail at Merriam Farm Conservation Area. This universally accessible trail will open the door for everyone, regardless of ability, to experience the beauty and peace of nature.
Please note: This video was created at the early stages of the project and reflects some references that are now currently inaccurate. Community Trail Coalition is an initiative under the Pelham Pathways LLC organization and the initial estimates of project cost have been properly adjusted after receiving official quotes from all aspects of the project. Also, please note that Pelham Pathways is run 100% on volunteer efforts with no administrative overhead.
Check out our opening day news article:
Virginia’s All Persons Trail Opens to an Outpouring of Community Joy
The Location
Merriam Farm Conservation Area provides the best possible location in Pelham for an All Persons Trail. It has an expandable parking lot, is on a main road and has relatively flat trails, a condition necessary to comply with ADA requirements. Merriam Farm also has varied ecosystems which will provide diverse nature experiences for those with mobility impairments. The goal is to provide a nature trail that allows mobility impaired individuals the ability to experience nature that otherwise would only be available to able bodied individuals.
ADA Requirements
To be compliant with ADA requirements, the trail surface needs to be made of 3/8 inch minus Ledge Pack, a natural material that is comprised of a mixture of stone, sand, and fines. Ledge Pack forms a hard, erosion-resistant surface when compacted. It is close to pavement in its sustainability but blends nicely in a natural environment. And, unlike pavement, it is not susceptible to cracks and bumps created by frost heaves. Brox Industries makes Ledge Pack but not in the 3/8 inch minus size. A special mix will need to be made by Brox if they are the supplier.
The Trail Builders
The trail construction requires the expertise of professional trail builders. Sam Brakeley of Hermit Woods Trail Builders, who has experience in constructing accessible trails in New England, will oversee the project. His team is familiar with the technical requirements to meet both ADA and ABA standards, ensuring that the trail is built to the highest quality.
Construction
Care needs to be taken when excavating around roots so adjacent trees are not killed. Sam has experience constructing trails in a root filled environment and has construction strategies to protect trees. Excess topsoil needs to be worked into the site so that it doesn’t impede drainage or look unsightly. Construction fabric must be installed so that it is an effective barrier to the underlying soil and contains the added gravel and Ledge Pack material. Ledge Pack needs to be installed over a layer of 2” stone gravel. Sam has experience and knowledge on how to properly install this material.
Periodic cross drains are needed to channel water away from the trail. NOTE: When the Appalachian Mountain Club constructed the Mt. Cardigan All Persons Trail, they did not use cross drains. Sections of trail had to be re- constructed because of damage caused by poor drainage. Sam has the experience needed to determine the location and installation of required cross drains to prevent damage to the trail.
The trail needs to be constructed late fall or early spring to minimize impacts on the field. The construction machinery will enter at the Moonshadow entrance and fan out over the field. The trail will be constructed backwards, from the end to the beginning at Mammoth.
The construction of the boardwalk and overlook at Beaver Brook will need a Wetland Permit because these structures will be in the 100-foot buffer to a prime wetland. Luke Hurley, Wetland Scientist, has been engaged to assist with filing the Wetland Permit. The Wetland Permit will require installation of any structures or work in the wetland buffer be done in dry conditions which means installation will need to take place in the summer or fall – not in the spring during wet conditions.
The boardwalk will need to be installed according to Wetland Permit specifications. Helical piers will be installed to support and anchor the overlook so that it remains stable during all seasons. Sam is experienced constructing boardwalks and overlooks for All Persons Trails.
Virginia’s All Persons Trail Donor Acknowledgments
Fred & Carol Merriam
NH Charitable Foundation
Pelham NH Council on Aging
Pelham NH Forestry Committee
Pelham NH Conservation Commission
Pelham NH Town Highway Department
Ann Prudhomme
John Jeanson
Michael O’Dea
Ashley Marie Ross
Dr. Titus Plomaritis
The Jussaume Family
Marc & Pam Duquette
Chris & Dale Gallagher
The McPartland Family
Lynne & Bruce Hildreth
American Legion Post 100
Greater Salem Rotary Club
Sally Ann & Lawrence Major
Pelham Good Neighbor Fund
Pelham Community Spirit, Inc.
Paul Gagnon & Yvonne La-Garde
Pelham Community Coalition, Inc.
Hirsch Logging & Lumber, Pelham,
Mill City Iron Fabricators, Inc, Dracut,
Linda Irish-Simpson & James N. Simpson
John H. Hargreaves Memorial Post 10722 VFW
Hurley Environmental and Land Planning, LLC, Epsom, NH
Lia Leone
Kate Stowe
Joy Turner
Lisa Brown
Jennah Costa
Somava Stout
Virginia Borst
Angel Alvarez
Karen Masors
Walter Remeis
Patricia Walsh
Roger Montbleau
Manuel H. Bairos
Timothy A. Butler
Rebecca Cummings
Alice & Jean Soucy
Paul & Carol Salois
Alice & Rick Galuppo
Pelham Cleaners, LLC
Lorraine & Ron Falcone
Bretton & Maegan Mickle
Denise & Salvatore Cardello
Pelham Police Relief Association
Jean Guy’s Used Cars & Parts, Inc.
Maple Ridge Construction, Pelham, NH
Pappathan Insurance Agency, Pelham, NH
Fred O’Neil
Debbie Ryan
Judith Fudge
Jeffrey Masors
Michael Carter
Joanne Briggle
Hazel La-Garde
Brett L. Gagnon
Yvette La-Garde
Roberta Bedard
Heike Petermann
Elizabeth Tshudy
Jennifer Rousseau
Ronald C. Bourque
Ann & Paul Dadak
Janet & Gerald Ceasar
Dawn S. McLaughlin
Mary & James Morash
Lillian & Connell Tarr
Darlene & Tim Greenwood
Brando’s Pizza, Pelham, NH
Maggie & Roman Kordonsky
Donald & Evelyn May Demars
Lehane Chiropractic, Pelham, NH
Chippaway Art Glass, Pelham, NH
Macarthur Excavation, Pelham, NH
Dorothy Hill
Susan Frasca
Daniel Fallon
Gail Morrison
Elaine Screnci
Jonathan Kamal
Dorayne Passler
Mark E. Welcome
Thomas A. Defusco
Kathleen Beauregard
Jon & Lisa Sparkman
Stephen & Adele Lien
David & Linda Paquette
Linda & Kevin Levesque
Kathleen & John Cormier
Daniel & Deborah Constant
William & Louise Scanzani
Linda Steck
Ann Bundock
Sandie Haiko
Anne L. Collins
Collette Jolliffe
Glennie Edwards
Joanne Stoddard
Judith Portanova
Kevin Wentworth
Marianne Genikos
Walter Hutchinson
Linda S. Constantin
David & Laurie Silk
Jan & Dennis Whitton
Connie Lanseigne-Case
Barbara & Robert Sherman
Kathleen & Richard Romeo
