Stonehouse Forest: Public Trails
Protection: Conserved Lands
Location: South of 202/9, north of Merry Hill Rd
Activities: Hiking, snowshoeing, fly fishing, kayaking. mountain biking, horseback riding, and snowmobiling on designated trails (see map)
Parking: One lot on Rte 202, one on Merry Hill Rd, one along Stonehouse Pond Road. One at end of Stonehouse Pond Road for fly fishermen. (see map)
Acreage: 1765
STONEHOUSE FOREST
A huge addition was made to Barrington’s list of conserved lands in the fall of 2017. Thanks to SELT’s extensive efforts, more than 450 donors, the Town of Barrington, and many other governmental and private partners, SELT purchased the Stonehouse Forest – more than 1,500 acres adjacent to Stonehouse Pond. The land is now subject to a conservation easement held by NH Fish and Game Department and the Town of Barrington. This expansive landscape supports a great variety of wildlife, free flowing streams, natural ponds, and miles of trails.
The ca. 50 parcels that comprise Stonehouse Forest were acquired by an Italian group in the ‘80s and ‘90s with the aim of making it into a private hunting preserve stocked with exotic wild game – clearly something designed for the rich and famous! Many of the roads, walls, and other structures that are still on the property were built by the Italians in anticipation of establishing this rich man’s playground. Fortunately for us, NH Fish and Game found out about this plan to introduce non-native animals into New Hampshire and put a stop to it. The land then sat idle for about 25 years until the efforts to conserve it bore fruit.
For more information go to SELTNH.org.
