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Conservation commission weighs community scavenger hunt, guided tours to promote properties
Summary
Members discussed a proposed photograph scavenger hunt and guided-property tours to raise awareness of Merrimack’s conservation lands and drive community engagement; no vote was taken.
MERRIMACK, N.H. — The Merrimack Conservation Commission discussed Feb. 24 a plan to hold community outreach events — beginning with a pilot photograph scavenger hunt — to encourage residents to visit and learn about local conservation properties.
The idea, proposed by a commission member, would pair a single-day, family-friendly scavenger hunt on one property (suggestions included Wildcat Falls and Sklar Park) with maps, clues and photo verification. The commission also discussed running guided tours on select properties and using social media and subcommittee outreach to publicize events.
Members weighed practical details: start with a single-day pilot rather than a multi-day format, schedule the event post–mud season or in late spring, and manage parking by directing attendees to larger lots such as Watson to avoid crowding neighborhood access points. Commissioners suggested properties of varying size; they noted Greater Woods and Horse Hill are large and could require multiple days or guided tours rather than a single scavenger-hunt route. Smaller sites such as Wildcat Falls were recommended for initial trials because the entire property can be walked in 30–45 minutes.
The commission also discussed incorporating history questions or clue boxes and offering modest recognition or prizes. Several members recommended that subcommittees and volunteer liaisons pursue sponsorships and outreach; one commissioner volunteered to contact a subcommittee and another offered to post event information on Facebook.
No formal motion or vote was recorded on the outreach proposals; members agreed to bring the suggestions to their subcommittees for planning and to return with a proposal for a pilot event.
