Forest Management Work and Ball Field Test Pits

TOWN OF STRATHAM
10 Bunker Hill Avenue
Stratham, NH 03885
603-772-7391

To: All Stratham Residents and Stratham Hill Park Users

From: Colin Laverty, Director of Public Works

Date: August 7, 2017

RE: Stratham Hill Park Forest Management Work and Ball Field Test Pits

The Town of Stratham will be completing forest management work in accordance with the Stratham Hill Park Forest Management Plan drafted by Forester, Charles Moreno. A copy of this Forest Management Plan can be found at:  https://www.strathamnh.gov/sites/g/files/vyhlif5051/f/uploads/forest_management_plan_-_stratham_hill_park_town_forest_june_2016.pdf

View sheds at the top of Stratham Hill Park by the Stratham Hill Fire Tower will be selectively cut and removed. These areas include directionally North (towards Great Bay), West South West (towards Newfields/Pawtuckaway), and East South East (towards Rye).

The most extensive view shed work will be down directionally East South East (towards Rye).  Woodlands approximately 1200’ long by ±50 feet wide will be cleared between the Stratham Fire Tower towards the Rye Water Tower. Two radio repeaters require line of sight reception, which requires the trees be removed for public safety purposes. Once the trees have been removed, stumps will be excavated and ground onsite. Stump grindings will be used for erosion control around the work limits of the project. The area will be graded and seeded for regular mowing maintenance in the future.

Various invasive species, specifically the Norway Maple will also be removed from various areas of the park including behind the Scamman restrooms and along the Fire Tower roadway. 

In addition to this work, test pits will be taken on the Upper Baseball field within the Park.  These tests pits will help determine the correction of reoccurring sink holes within the baseball field. Once the test pits have been analyzed, Town officials will use the information to determine a solution to repair the baseball field.

This work will occur between the dates of August 14, 2017 and September 8, 2017. For more information on this upcoming work, please contact Colin Laverty at 603-772-5550.

Colin P. Laverty
Director of Public Works