Pelham Pathways

08/21/2026

Join Us at Celebration Park

We have several upcoming volunteer workdays:

Wednesday, August 26 | 4:00–5:30 PM — Help spread composted cow manure and compost in the garden beds.

Saturday, August 29 | 4:00–5:30 PM — Continue restoring the Celebration Park gardens.

Saturday, October 17 or Saturday, October 24 — Help install drip irrigation systems in the gardens. The final October date will be confirmed soon.

No experience is needed. Guidance will be provided, and there are many ways to help. Even an hour can make a meaningful difference.

The drip irrigation project is especially important because it will deliver water directly to the plants, conserve water, and reduce the considerable amount of hand-watering required of volunteers in future growing seasons.

If you would like to participate, please email [email protected] your name, contact information, the workday that interests you, and your availability.

08/11/2026

What Could You Bring to Pelham Pathways?

Not everyone wants to garden. Perhaps your interests are trails, wildlife, photography, writing, technology, history, art, education, organizing events—or something we have not even thought of yet.

That is what makes a volunteer organization work.

We do not need everyone to have the same skills. We need people willing to share what they know, learn something new, and help strengthen their community.

There is something very satisfying about looking at a garden, trail, park, program, book, or community project and being able to say:

“I helped make that happen.”

If that sounds appealing, we would love to have you join us.

Bring your skills. Bring your curiosity. Or simply bring an hour of your time.

You may be surprised by how much difference you can make.

P.S. Another Opportunity to Learn & Get Involved

invasive species and the health of Pelham’s conservation lands interest you, please join the Pelham Conservation Commission Public Meeting on Wednesday, August 12 at 7:00 PM at Pelham Town Hall.

The program will feature Eric Radlof, Town Forester , LLC, and Donna Lussier, UNH Extension Master Gardener, who will discuss invasive species affecting Pelham and approaches to managing them.

The Community Trail Coalition Committee will also ask the Conservation Commission to consider establishing an Invasive Species Management Plan for the Town of Pelham, similar to the plan developed by the Town of Merrimack.

The evening will include discussion of invasive plants found in our community, including Oriental bittersweet, common buckthorn, and Japanese knotweed.

Everyone who cares about Pelham’s forests and conservation lands is encouraged to attend

08/11/2026

The Heart & Soul of Pelham Pathways: Our Volunteers
Pelham Pathways has no paid staff.

Everything we accomplish happens because people in our community are willing to share their time, talents, and experience.

Our volunteers bring skills learned through their professions, hobbies, education, family life, and personal interests. Some know trails and conservation. Others bring expertise in gardening, writing, photography, technology, finance, construction, education, wildlife, fundraising, art, or community organizing.

And some simply come with a willingness to help.

To date, 61 volunteers have contributed 4,003 hours to Pelham Pathways initiatives. We try to carefully match each volunteer with work that fits their interests and abilities—because volunteering should not only meet an organizational need, it should also provide a sense of purpose, connection, and accomplishment.

One wonderful example is Bill Schofield, who noticed that the bird feeders at Merriam Farm were empty and decided, quite simply, “I can feed the birds.” He has been doing just that ever since, traveling to Merriam Farm twice each week to fill feeders, replace damaged equipment, and care for the area.

Bill does not seek recognition. He simply sees something that needs to be done and quietly does it. His story is a reminder that community service is often built through small acts repeated faithfully over time.

08/10/2026

After assessing the perennial gardens, volunteer and UNH Extension Master Gardener Donna Lussier determined that the soil—particularly in the newer shade gardens—needed significant improvement. She developed a restoration process that includes removing mulch, adding composted cow manure and compost, thoroughly watering the plants, and then replacing the mulch.

Volunteers have already completed two shade gardens. Four more still need attention, and we could use some helping hands.

Our volunteers also contribute talents that have nothing to do with shovels or garden hoses. Local artist Paula Stanvick generously donated her time and creativity to paint the back of Celebration Park’s kiosk, transforming a previously plain surface into another beautiful feature of the park.

Paula is also sharing her artistic talents directly with the community by teaching Art in the Park on Wednesday, August 12 at 4:00 PM at Celebration Park, 8 Nashua Road. The class is free, and there are still spaces available for anyone who would like to join us for an enjoyable afternoon of creativity in the park.

These are just a few examples of what makes Pelham Pathways special: people sharing what they know and doing something meaningful with it.

08/07/2026

Tuesday, August 18
Hobbs Community Center Pickleball Courts
8 Nashua Road, Pelham

Does your child want to learn one of the country’s most popular and fastest-growing sports? Pelham Parks & Recreation is offering two fun and supportive Youth Pickleball Skills Sessions for children and teens. Participants will learn or improve the fundamentals of pickleball, including forehand, backhand, dinking, and volleying. Along with building athletic skills, pickleball encourages teamwork, communication, social interaction, and new friendships. Two age-based sessions will be offered:

Ages 7–10: 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Ages 11–15: 1:00–3:00 p.m.

The cost is $30 per participant, and all equipment will be provided. Registration is available through Pelham Parks & Recreation or by calling 603-635-2721.

Whether you are interested in exploring your creativity in the peaceful setting of Celebration Park or have a child eager to learn a fun new sport, these two programs offer wonderful opportunities to try something new, meet others, and enjoy summer in Pelham. We hope you will take part—and perhaps discover a new talent or favorite activity along the way!

08/03/2026

Upcoming Community Event: Invasive Species on Pelham’s Conservation Lands

Wednesday, August 12 at 7:00 p.m. • Pelham Town Hall

Join the Pelham Conservation Commission for an informative evening about invasive species affecting Pelham’s conservation lands. Town Forester Eric Radlof and UNH Extension Master Gardener Donna Lussier will discuss local invasive plants and practical approaches to management. The Community Trail Coalition will also ask the Conservation Commission to consider establishing a townwide Invasive Species Management Plan.

07/31/2026

Summer is the perfect time to get outside, discover a new interest, and enjoy everything our community has to offer. Pelham Pathways is delighted to share two upcoming opportunities designed to encourage creativity, confidence, friendship, and fun.

Art in the Park — New Rain Date!

Wednesday, August 12th at 4:00 p.m.
Celebration Park, 8 Nashua Road
Adjacent to the Hobbs Community Center

After being postponed because of the weather, Art in the Park has been rescheduled—and we hope you will join us! Local artist and art teacher Paula Stanvick will lead a relaxed outdoor lesson using multicolored charcoal. Participants will learn how to draw birds, flowers, and trees while enjoying the beauty and inspiration of Celebration Park. No artistic experience is needed. This class is especially welcoming to beginners and anyone who would simply like to try something new. All art supplies will be provided, and the program is completely free.

Space is limited to 10 participants, so early registration is encouraged. To register, email [email protected] with “Art in the Park” in the subject line and include the participant’s name. Come create, connect with others, enjoy nature, and discover a talent you may not have known you had!

07/30/2026

Thanks for having us!

A heartfelt thank you to Pelham Pathways for joining us on this week's United Way Community Connections Show on WSMN 1590 AM and 95.3 FM. 😀 It was a pleasure learning more about the incredible work they're doing in our community and sharing their story with our listeners. Here's what they said about being a guest on our radio show:

"Dear Mike,

Thank you so much for sharing the podcast link and the wonderful photographs. I truly enjoyed the interview and greatly appreciate the opportunity to introduce Pelham Pathways and share some of the work we are doing in our community.

The United Way’s support in helping organizations like ours gain greater public recognition is invaluable. Pelham Pathways is still a relatively young organization, and opportunities like this help more people learn about our mission, our projects, and the many ways they can become involved.

I would be delighted to visit again and share updates about Pelham Pathways as our programs and community initiatives continue to grow. Thank you again for the warm welcome, the engaging conversation, and the invitation to “come back soon!”

With warm regards,

Yvonne La-Garde
Chair
Pelham Pathways, Inc."

We truly appreciate your kind words and are grateful for the opportunity to connect. We look forward to welcoming you back to the show in the future and continuing to highlight the amazing impact you're making. 👏

Thank you for all that you do!

07/30/2026

Discover the Community Trail Coalition
Helping people discover, enjoy, and care for Pelham’s trails and conservation lands
Nature is for everyone. The Community Trail Coalition—often called the CTC—is a volunteer committee of Pelham Pathways that helps residents and visitors discover, enjoy, and care for Pelham’s growing network of trails and conservation lands.

Connecting People with Pelham’s Wild Places

The CTC promotes safe, inclusive, and welcoming outdoor experiences for people of all ages and abilities. Through education, outreach, guided hikes, trail brochures, stewardship projects, and hands-on learning, volunteers help our community develop a deeper appreciation for Pelham’s forests, wetlands, wildlife, history, and open spaces.

What CTC Volunteers Do?

Explore and educate: Research the history, plants, wildlife, and natural features of local conservation areas.

Welcome the community outdoors: Organize guided hikes and create trail brochures and educational materials.

Care for the land: Support trail stewardship, conservation education, and hands-on projects.

Build connections: Bring neighbors and generations together through a shared appreciation of the land.

Meet the CTC Leadership

The Community Trail Coalition is led by co-chairs Linda Irish-Simpson (left photo) and Joy Turner (right photo). The committee typically meets on the second Monday of each month and welcomes members with many different interests and levels of experience.

Find Your Place in the Community Trail Coalition

Interested in trails, conservation, outdoor recreation, local history, wildlife, education, photography, writing, community outreach, or hands-on stewardship? You do not need to be an expert or make a major time commitment. Every volunteer brings valuable skills, interests, and ideas.

Contact Joy or Linda at [email protected]