Alstead's Papermill Park Restoration Project
Early Sunday morning, October 9, 2005, a wall of water, the result of heavy rains, rushed through the village of Alstead, NH, flooding everything in its path, and leaving massive devastation behind. One of the areas severly damaged was the town's common, Millot Green, which became the site for debris sorting and cleanup efforts. The entrance to the green is Papermill Park, established on the site of the original paper mill of 1793. Despite losing much plant material and topsoil to erosion (one end of the park is six feet below the other in height), the town residents are eager to rebuild the year-round sanctuary. Under the management of the Alstead Conservation Commission, the rebuilding of Papermill Park is scheduled to begin this summer, along with Millot Green, once the banks of the Cold River have been stabilized.
Left: Joy Nalevanko of the Conservation Commission points to what used to be the edge of the riverbank and park. Wild grapes once climbed the tension wires. A large section of concrete foundation from the building that once housed the post office and several stores on the site lies in the river. In the distance is Millot Green, devoid of the basketball court, basball field, picnic tables, benches, horse riding arena and band stand.
Right: View of park from Millot Green.
Culvert washed up during flood sits where a picnic table once sat for visitors to the park.
Holes in ground were once homes of lilacs,
mugho pines, and various other shrubs, perennials and bulbs that filled the park with color all season.
Note below--the riverbank on the far side eroded down to the bedrock. This was the site along much of the Cold River from
Lake Warren all the way to Walpole...