Franklin’s Profile Grows with Mill City Park Groundbreaking

Whitewater park to open in September

By Charlie Darling
Franklin got a big shot in the arm in July as construction began on Mill City Park, a focal point for outdoor recreation across the region with hopes of attracting up to 150,000 visitors and $7 million to the area annually. WMUR-TV was one of many media outlets that covered the ceremonial groundbreaking on July 12.

The long-planned revitalization of Franklin’s community, economy, and pride took a big step forward on July 12 when civic leaders gathered in the city’s Trestle View Park to break ground for Mill City Park at Franklin Falls, New England’s first whitewater park. Construction is now underway, with project organizers and city leaders pushing for the park to open in September.

Mill City Park is planned to be a focal point for outdoor recreation across the region, with hopes of attracting up to 150,000 visitors and $7 million to the area annually.

The groundbreaking attracted media attention from around the state and even an article from California’s UnofficialNetworks.com, “the ski bum’s guide to outdoor news and entertainment” across the nation. The article is headlined “New Hampshire Town Breaks Ground on New England’s First Whitewater Park,” leading Unofficial Networks to comment on Mill City Park’s Facebook page: “It’s about time!”

Visit Facebook.com/MillCityPark for links to additional coverage from New Hampshire Union Leader, WMUR-TV, Mix 94.1 FM, The Laconia Daily Sun, and InDepthNH.org.