Background:
In 2004 a 24+ acre parcel, formerly the Granger gravel pit, was approved for purchase by the Town of Lee. This land was purchased with a combination of town funds (primarily Land Acquisition funds and Recreation Commission Trust fund monies), and a grant from the Land and Water Conservation Fund specifying that the land must be used for outdoor recreation. Along with the subsequent purchase in 2005 of the 12.6 acre adjoining “Mills” property, this approximately 37 acre tract within walking distance of downtown Lee is now known as Little River Park.
At the time of purchase the Selectmen of Lee, the Conservation Commission and the Recreation Commission saw acquisition of these parcels as the first two phases of a multi-phase community project, central to the recreational needs of the people of Lee, within walking distance of the town center. This land also overlies a major aquifer which may at some point be integral to a municipal water supply for the town of Lee. This would be centered on the adjacent 12.6 acre Mills property, which abuts the Little River as well as the Granger property.
Statement of Need:
After several years of conversations, both informal and formal, between the Lee Recreation Commission and residents of Lee, Lee Selectmen, the Lee Conservation Commission, the Land Protection Administrator of Lee, the Agricultural Committee, the Women’s Guild, the Heritage Commission, neighboring recreation committees, ORYA, travel soccer associations, Oyster River School District, Oyster River Parents of Preschoolers, Don Quigley (Forester), Lauren Chase-Rowell (landscape architect), and David Cedarholm (Water Advisory Committee), the Lee Recreation Commission feels strongly that there is support in the community to further develop Little River Park. Our town has a severe shortage of playing fields, playgrounds and public open community space and Little River Park, given its size, can remedy these needs.
It is the role of the Recreation Commission under RSA Chapter 35-B:5 “To formulate policies, advise, recommend, promote and maintain public park and recreation in the Town of Lee...”, as well as to “build the public recreation and parks program consisting of public parks, schools, grounds and facilities.” The Lee Recreation Commission must also, “provide an adequate and balanced recreational program which meets the various needs and interests of every citizen.”
Justification for the Project:
Prior to the purchase of the Granger property an Environmental Assessment was completed by the Land Protection Administrator. This Assessment states that “The Granger property will help meet the need for competition-level playing fields for community sports; places to pursue year-round active recreation, like walking, bicycling, and cross-country skiing; and trail connections as a safe, viable alternative to automobiles for getting around in the community center, in the attempt to create a ‘livable, walk able community’”.
As a rural community with a very small town center, Lee is primarily defined by its agrarian roots. Historic barns dot the landscape and farms and livestock of all types abound. As Lee has grown, however, so have the subdivisions, both small and large. In 2006, according to the 2007 ORCSD “Report Card”, Lee sent more children to kindergarten than Durham, although its population is but a fraction of the latter’s. Given growth at this rapid scale, especially of school-age children, only underscores the necessity of Lee investing in recreation and infrastructure that can accommodate the increasing pressures for playing fields and playgrounds in our community, as well as the recreational needs of our aging population
Strafford Regional Planning Commission has distributed a study conducted by the Urban Land Institute (Urban Land, Vol. 20 No 5, Washington, DC), which ventures to state community standards when determining park and recreational needs. According to the Institute, in all municipalities and regions across America, there should be approximately 1.5 acres of playground per 1000 population. Further, the standard set by the Urban Land Institute is 1.5 acres of play fields per 1000 population. The playing fields’ “size of site” minimum is 10 acres, with an ideal being 15 acres.
By these standards Lee falls woefully short. Other than the playground at Mast Way School owned by ORCSD, there is no public playground in Lee. The playground at Mast Way is not available during school hours making the closest one with unlimited daytime usage the one on Woodridge Road in Durham. According to the year 2000 Census, Lee has almost 300 children under age 5 and over 1000 school age children. Certainly these figures have grown now in 2007. A playground is a pressing need in this town. Organizations such as Oyster River Parents of Preschoolers can testify to this fact, as well as many stay-at-home parents seeking physical activities with their child within a short drive of their home.
The situation in Lee with playing fields is moderately better. Stevens Field is a small-scale soccer field (appropriate for soccer players eleven years-old and younger) owned by the town. Lee also owns and maintains the small baseball field next to Mast Way School which is suitable for t-ball and moderately suitable for little league. Flag Hill Winery on Route 155 entered several years ago into a long term lease with Oyster River Youth Association which currently maintains several soccer fields on that premises, however this lease does not involve the town.
In the entire Oyster River Community (Lee, Madbury and Durham) there is not a single Babe Ruth-size baseball field except one at Oyster River High School. Babe Ruth Baseball is geared primarily for boys thirteen years of age and up. There are several Babe Ruth leagues in the Seacoast area outside the school district and many children in our community are enthusiastic players. Unfortunately, since they have limited playing fields their opportunities to play have been severely curtailed. The only regulation size field is at Oyster River High School and the high school teams take precedence over the community leagues. The benefit of creating a Babe Ruth field in Lee is that because of its large size off-season the outfield can be used for lacrosse or soccer. The Babe Ruth Field can also be used for softball if a double pitcher’s mound is put in.
Prior to the purchase of the Granger parcel, Dick Weyrick, former Chair of the Conservation Commission wrote in “Natural Resources Description: Granger Land” that “The major portion of the mined area can be developed into playgrounds, playing fields, and major parking areas and structures to serve an often-expressed need for the youth and families in the town.” This was written in 2003, and 4 years later the need has only increased. As stated above, according to the 2000 census, with over 1000 school-age children and another approximately 300 under the age of 5, and the parents and grandparents of these children, a significant number of people in Lee will enjoy Little River Park’s playing fields and playground.
Little River Park will its central location, within walking distance to town buildings and the elementary school, affords the town the opportunity to create a lasting contribution to the recreational and community needs of the residents of Lee. Playing fields are a key unmet recreational need in Lee. With the acquisition of the Granger property, the Town now possesses enough land that is relatively flat and suitable for ball fields without infringing on farm land as many communities often are forced to do.
Walking and hiking trails will be a major part of the Mills property which runs nearby the Little River and abuts the Granger property. This low impact usage is perfectly suited to the more delicate riverside ecosystem. Trail signs will mark sightings of interest, and this area will be ideal for classrooms and walkers alike.
Families also need a gathering place in Lee. Little River Park, with its multi-purpose usage will suit groups large and small. The Granger property will hold not only playing fields and a playground, but have an area for basketball, volleyball (popular with teenagers and adults), and shuffleboard. A pavilion will be ideal for family reunions or graduation parties with a roof for protection against inclement weather. This area may also be suitable for the Farmer’s Market given it’s convenience to the parking area. It would work for craft fairs or Town-wide events, as well.
Down a 12 foot wide ADA-approved path there will be the bandstand where the Lee Recreation Commission envisions summer band performances. In an age when technology and time work to separate one neighborhood from another, we need to seek ways to draw our community back together. This park can be our town green, our gathering spot, a place to meet new friends and greet old ones.
In the winter there are paths that already exist for snowmobiling, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The natural slope to side of the pit is ideal for sledding. We
hope there will be a spot suitable for flooding and ice skating, as well. Little River Park should be a year round park, where there will always be several recreational opportunities to be found.
