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Heritage Commission plans three historical signs and possible name extension for Lambert's Park
Summary
The Heritage Commission described three metal signs for Lambert's Park covering Native American activity, the Dundee Mills industrial era and the park’s later history; commissioners said the signs will be funded from the commission’s account and aimed for a May unveiling.
Members of the Heritage Commission and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee discussed a plan to install three historical interpretive signs at Lambert’s Park and to pursue an amended park name that reflects the site’s history.
Tony Lacasse, who identified himself at the meeting as living at 30 Dundee Avenue, spoke during public input as a Heritage Commission representative and described the sign project. “We have 3 signs that we've been working on for quite some time now,” he said, outlining topics for each: Native American activity at the falls, the Dundee Mills industrial era, and the park’s development after Fred Lambert’s donation.
The commission proposed placing the signs in a semicircle near the park flagpole with a stone-dust walkway so visitors, including those using mobility devices, could read each panel without crossing active play areas. The group discussed facing the signs toward the roadway so readers would view the river while reading and emphasized spacing to avoid conflicts with nearby playgrounds and horseshoe pits.
Lacasse said the Heritage Commission already voted at a prior meeting to pay a deposit to the sign company and is aiming for a May unveiling, pending a six- to seven-week production turnaround. “We have a turnaround time frame with the sign company…we voted at our last meeting to pay the deposit,” he told the committee, adding the commission’s goal is to finalize text and photos at their next meeting.
Funding for the signs will come from the Heritage Commission’s account, not from a private bequest that several attendees mentioned. A committee member clarified that Kathy Knuthoff’s donation went to the Hooksett Historical Society (a private 501(c)(3)), not to the municipal Heritage Commission. One Heritage Commission member said the commission’s account balance is “about $48,000,” and the commission described remaining grant funds from earlier projects as part of that balance.
Installation was described as Parks and Recreation or public works work: the committee discussed single‑post metal brackets and typical post‑hole installation methods with frost‑bell footing and concrete. Phil Arnoni was identified as the Parks staff member who previously installed similar Riverwalk Trail signs; Parks staff said they would collaborate on siting and ADA‑accessible walkways.
The Heritage Commission also announced plans to bring a proposal to the town council to append historical wording to the park name (examples discussed included “Lambert’s Park at Hooksett Falls” or “Lambert’s Park at Dundee Landing”) and noted they will contact descendants of Fred Lambert; Lacasse said he had previously spoken with Jeanette Lambert and plans further outreach.
No town council vote was recorded at the meeting; the Heritage Commission will finalize sign copy, confirm funding from its account, return to Parks staff to mark locations, and submit any formal renaming language to the town council for consideration.
The public and advisory members asked the commission to ensure accessibility (ADA) and to coordinate installation timing with spring cleanup and other small park projects.
