Sam Erud, a Hooksett resident and master's student at the University of New Hampshire, presented the “Hooksett Track and Wellness Project” to the Hooksett Parks and Recreation Advisory Board and described it as an effort to make the Donati Park running track “safer, more accessible, and more inclusive.”

Erud told the board she plans to add protective fencing near the railway, create an ADA-accessible pathway, install benches and outdoor fitness stations and organize a community running club. She said she worked with town engineering staff to develop rough estimates and a materials list and that she intends to seek grants and in-kind sponsorships before requesting town funds.

The board recommended the project be forwarded to the Town Council for consideration. At the end of the discussion a motion that “the Parks and Rec board give approval to move forward with this project” was made and seconded; the board approved the recommendation by voice vote (individual roll-call tallies were not specified in the meeting record).

Board members pressed for practical details and regulatory checks. Julie, a Parks and Recreation board member, asked about whether sponsors such as Home Depot had committed materials; Erud replied she had not contacted vendors before getting board approval and said she would pursue grants and donations if the board supported the project. Randall, a board member, asked whether Erud had scheduled time with the Town Council; she said she had an appointment the following day.

Multiple members raised implementation questions the board said should be clarified before or when the council reviews the plan: whether the track site is on state-leased land (a board member said the area is state land under a 99‑year lease and recommended Erud check with the state), whether pull-up stations would need fall-surface material similar to playground surfacing, and whether ADA-compliant pathways and surfacing would be feasible in the proposed locations. Board members also noted recurring sinkhole/groundwater issues on the adjacent field and said the project should avoid work that would affect the athletic field footprint.

Erud provided a list of preliminary, engineer-assisted quantities and features she intends to pursue (she described these as estimates): about 1,070 feet of chain-link fencing, an ADA pathway using stepping stones and compacted fill, roughly 10 benches, two outdoor pull-up stations and gravel for access paths. She gave a lower budget estimate of $49,064 and said she had a higher estimate but the figure in her printed materials was unclear in the record; she emphasized these numbers are preliminary and would be updated during formal design and procurement.

Erud also identified likely funding strategies: grant applications (she mentioned an opportunity with a December grant deadline), sponsorships and in-kind donations; she asked the board and town staff to help with contact information and permit coordination. Ben Berthiaume, identified in the presentation as the town DPW director, was referenced as an early contact who helped with measurements and budget drafting.

After discussion and questions from several board members and staff about site constraints and permitting, the board made a motion to recommend moving the project forward to the Town Council for review and permitting. The board's recommendation includes follow-up checks with the state leaseholder (for permanent changes on state-leased land), verification of ADA design details, and confirmation of grant timelines and procurement rules. The board and staff suggested Erud return with updated, engineer-verified quantities, clearer budget figures and any sponsor commitments if the council asks for more detail.

The board did not authorize town funding at the meeting; it voted to forward the proposal as recommended to the Town Council for further review and permitting. Erud was instructed to contact the council and follow up with staff for the state contact and grant-writing resources.