Pooh’s backyard doubles in size

The Barrington Conservation Commission and the Southeast Land Trust of NH (SELT) are delighted to announce the permanent conservation of 135 acres to be added to the Goodwill Conservation Area, nearly doubling the size of that conserved land. It is all open to the public for passive recreational activities and snowmobiling on designated trails.

Properties formerly owned by the Haley family and the Stephan Rubinstein Trust now belong to the town and are protected via a conservation easement held by SELT. In addition to the donation of land value by the former owners, funding for the project came from the town, the New Hampshire Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund, the City of Portsmouth, the Fields Pond Foundation, the Bafflin Foundation, and the state’s Moose Plate program.

The Goodwill Conservation Area is best known as the home of the Winnie-the-Pooh Trail. The addition provides those willing to venture beyond the friendly confines  of the “100 Aker Wood” more of a chance to explore the varied geology and topography of this property, along with vernal pools and a huge beaver dam and pond.

In addition to the parking area on Route 9 near Richardson Drive, the town plans to build another parking area at the end of Ross Rd. for access to the property from the south. The Trails Committee will fix up and map the trails on the addition. Stay tuned for updates.

Mr. Edward Bear (aka Winnie-the-Pooh), a resident of the 100 Aker Wood, said “I’m so glad there is more room for Tigger to bounce. He loves to bounce, and since we need to do ‘so-shall-distant-sing,’ whatever that means, it’s better that he doesn’t bounce into others so much.”