Commissioners, guests, partners, and friends made for a full house at the Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC) Annual Luncheon on Thursday, June 27. The event was held at the Governor's Inn, near the Rochester Riverwalk project which was featured during the panel discussion on trails in New Hampshire.

As guests arrived, they were encouraged to interact with a series of engagement boards designed to gather information on their favorite trails and how they use them, and to help SRPC add trails missing from a map of the region. The most common uses of trails were hiking and biking, and favorite regional trails included Stonehouse Pond, College Woods, Pawtuckaway trails, the Gonic Trails, and the Cotton Valley Rail Trail.

The meeting began with a letter from U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, read by Chris Scott, the senator's special assistant for projects and policy. In her letter Sen. Shaheen recognized SRPC's work and wished the organization a successful year. The senator also extended a warm welcome to SRPC's new executive director, Jen Czysz, and recognized the importance of trails and trail networks in the state.

After the letter was read, Jen Czysz acknowledged the late Commissioner Brian Tapscott, expressing gratitude for his dedication and commitment to the Commission. She also thanked Sandy Keans (Rochester), Judy Nelson (Rollinsford), and Tony McManus (Dover) for their time on both the Executive Committee and the Commission. Principal regional planner Kyle Pimental was recognized for his 10 years at SRPC.

The panel presentation followed. SRPC program content coordinator Nancy O' Connor moderated the panel of experts who discussed trails and their relation to economic development and quality of life. The panelists were Alexis Rudko, program specialist at the state's Recreational Trails Program (RTP), Charlie Moreno, forester and owner of Moreno Forestry, and Stacey Marchionni, chair of the Rochester Riverwalk Committee. The panelists took turns providing an overview of their organization or business, addressing what makes a good trail and how good trails are developed, and speaking about the importance of trail maintenance. Audience members followed up with comments and questions regarding trails in their communities.

Following the discussion, SRPC Executive Director Jen Czysz presented the annual award, for excellence in innovation and city planning, to Dover Planning and Community Development. This well-deserved award recognized the Garrison City for its region-leading planning initiatives, which served as a model of innovation across the state and throughout Northern New England. Dover's forward-thinking approach has linked land-use planning, zoning, transportation, economic development, natural resource protection, trails, responses to climate change, and energy efficiency to create what is arguably one of the most vibrant and livable communities in New Hampshire.

In accepting the award, Chris Parker, Dover assistant city manager, noted the city's accomplishments would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of all city departments and boards, and citizen support. City planner Steve Bird and community development planner Dave Carpenter were also present to accept the award.