A diverse and motivated partnership of community members have launched a fundraising campaign to create a new community park in downtown Franklin which will include a community garden, whitewater park on the Winnipesaukee River, and a mountain bike pump track for all ages and skill levels. The combination of a whitewater park and a pump track in close proximity to a downtown exists nowhere else in New England, making Franklin the next stop for any outdoor recreation enthusiast.
Franklin is currently the smallest and the poorest city in New Hampshire. However, we are enroute to a sustainable revitalization by bringing in new opportunities to our city.
Our non-profit, PermaCityLife, acts as a catalytic organization to bring the Franklin Falls Revitalization Plan to life. The City needs this spark to support our residents and attract new businesses, restaurants, and visitors. This iconic outdoor destination, all of which will be free amenities for the public to use, will give that boost.
Our goal is to raise $45,000. The funds raised through our Indiegogo campaign will be used to pay certified engineers from McLaughlin Whitewater and trail designers from Highland Mountain Bike Park to provide us with conceptual designs, detailed designs, and planning documentation to support the construction of this iconic destination.
For more information or to donate online, please visit Indiegogo.com/projects/the-way-back-to-franklin-falls.
A recent study entitled Franklin’s Outdoor Activities and Associated Economic Impact, developed with the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development office, estimated that the impact of such a park would account for $6.8 million in direct spending, and another $4.68 million via indirect and induced spending in the local economy.
In addition to an economic boost, “this amenity will support every facet of life in Franklin. Whether you are concerned about local education, crime, drugs, obesity, property values, or vacant storefronts, this park will have a positive impact. This park promotes an outdoor healthy lifestyle and in doing so brings in an annual economic stimulus that could rival or exceed the Northern Pass,” says Marty Parichand, owner of Outdoor New England.
This park is a holistic solution to some of the issues Franklin’s residents live with day to day. We have developed strong partnerships with local organizations to help us achieve our goal. Our partners include Franklin Regional Hospital, Healthy Eating Active Living (HEAL) Coalition, Pay It Forward Farm in Andover, and Highland Mountain Bike Park.
The community garden will not only provide a green space in downtown but also provide an opportunity for residents to grow their own food, and harvested food can be distributed through HEAL Coalition’s Harvest Box Program, where fresh and organic food is available for anyone to take, free of charge. Additionally, our team is working to establish a “voluntourism” program, where tourists in the region can donate their time to work in the garden.
Altering the mill-infested Winnipesaukee River sustainably to improve the quality and safety of the rapids would provide the public free, continuous use of the river year-round. This Whitewater Park – a 1.5-mile section of rapids from Cross Mill Bridge to Trestle View Park – would be the first of its kind in New England.
While kayakers are running the rapids, bikers would be enjoying the Mountain Bike Pump Track adjacent to the river, designed by our neighbor and staple in the biking world, Highland Mountain Bike Park. With multiple tracks, these trails would be perfect for people of all age and ability levels.
To supplement the online fundraiser, we are hosting a fundraising event on Saturday, August 20, at Marceau Park on Central Street in downtown Franklin. Some highlights of the day include live music, a chicken barbecue, a duck race down the Winnipesaukee River, and a Corn Hole Tournament. Event registration will begin at 10 AM in the park.
For more information or donate online, please visit Indiegogo.com/projects/the-way-back-to-franklin-falls.
About PermaCityLife
Founded in 2014, PermaCityLife is a non-profit downtown development entity with Franklin Business Industrial Development Center (FBIDC) as our 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor.
Our mission is to lead the charge for positive and sustainable economic growth in downtown Franklin while protecting past investments. We have acquired sufficient real estate in the heart of downtown, and are now positioned to carry forward the vision that has been laid out and supported by the community. We are working in partnership with local government, private investors, and the philanthropic sector to support and develop specific real estate projects in downtown Franklin.
For more information please visit PermaCityLife.com.