Strafford Regional Planning Commission (SRPC), the regional planning entity for Strafford County and five other communities in Rockingham (3) and Carroll (2) counties, recently released recreation maps for each of its eighteen communities. The maps showcase areas with recreational opportunities including baseball fields, fishing, swimming, trails, and playgrounds, and are a great resource for those looking to enjoy the region's abundant natural resources and facilities. The maps also include important information about access. Roads, bike trails and bus routes are highlighted on each map.

The maps complement a detailed report that highlights regional trends such as percentage of population under five, parks & playgrounds, recreational access from regional bus routes, and other important data pairings. Via the eighteen maps, this information was shared with local decision makers to assist them in prioritizing funding for projects, such as those that increase families' ability to be active. The data also provides communities with more information to shape local policies and practices to promote recreation through improvements to infrastructure and safety.

Funding for these activities was awarded to SRPC by the NH Children's Health Foundation in Dec. 2018 in response to its "Pathways to Play: A Roadmap for Active Recreation" project proposal. The grant program, whose focus is to support projects that prevent childhood obesity, promote oral health, and reduce food insecurity, also supported a pilot project in the City of Somersworth as part of Pathways to Play. SRPC partnered with the City to use the data and maps in creating a customized recreation accessibility plan. The Hilltop City was a good candidate for this pilot project as 486 families in the City have children younger than 5, making up 7.2% of the City's population.

Beginning in summer 2019, SRPC staff conducted a variety of outreach activities including talking with children during the City's summer camp program, gathering input from families at National Night Out, releasing an online survey, and leaving "create your dream park" coloring sheets for kids to fill out at the Somersworth Public Library. The input gathered was framed around questions about use and access at three parks in the City: Jules Bisson, the Somersworth Riverwalk, and Malley Farm. The outcome, a report that will be provided to the City's municipal officials, cited benefits of each recreation area, opportunities for improvement, and resulting recommendations.

The reports, maps, and information about the Pathways to Play project can be found on SRPC's website at:

http://strafford.org/services/publichealth.php