Gordon Barker Town Forest

If you would like a map of Trails of Stratham Hill Park and the surrounding forest lands, one is available thru the Stratham Recreation Commission at the Stratham Town office.

2009 was a sad year for the Barker family, the Town of Stratham, and the Conservation Commission. During this year, we lost Gordon Barker, lifetime resident of Stratham, owner of Barker's Farm and one of the longest standing members on the Commission who was dedicated to protecting the natural resources in town.

Gordon was taking action to protect land long before it was recognized as an important thing to do. He was a Selectman at the time the Gifford property became available with fields, forest and wetlands. A special town meeting was held to ask the Town to purchase the property. Gordon was instrumental in raising awareness of the value of that land for the Town.

A portion of this property was ultimately used to build the Stratham Memorial Elementary School. A portion was used to complement Stratham Hill Park for recreational activities. In 1994, The Town Forest was established to be managed by the Conservation Commission. The forest is about 84.5 acres and primarily lies northwest of the school and southeast of the Park. It has a wide diversity of soils and the forest is composed of diverse species including white and red pine, several kinds of oak, maple and hickory, and Atlantic White Cedar that is somewhat rare in this state. The diversity of soils and the variety of acorn and nut producing trees provide for a variety of food sources for nearly 80 different species of birds and mammals that make their home in and around the forest.

The forest has a number of trails that are used daily in the warmer months by dog walkers, hikers and runners, and in snow by cross-country skiers. Stratham Memorial School takes advantage of its proximity to the forest and often brings kids out for educational experiences in the woods and ponds.

In the years since this property was purchased, thousands of people both from Stratham and its surrounding communities have had the opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the forest, and for that, we have Gordon to thank.

In 2010, the Town of Stratham voted unanimously to rename the Town Forest the "Gordon Barker Town Forest" in honor of his memory and in recognition of his many years of service to the Town of Stratham. We hope you visit the town forest often and silently thank the Gordon, the person who made it possible to enjoy forever.