Hooksett Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - April 21, 2026
Hooksett Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting - April 21, 2026
The Hooksett Parks and Recreation Commission met on April 21, 2026, to discuss park maintenance, field usage, pickleball net installation, tennis court repairs, and other updates. The meeting included a staff report, youth sports updates, and a motion to enter non-public session.
Discussion Items
- Staff Report (Rob): Reported on plow damage repair, field marking (excluding football field, to be painted next week), installation of four new big-kid swings at Denati Park with new hardware, 80 yards of kids cushion, mulching, tilling community gardens with manure, ordering porta-potties for Fraser and Alfred J. Lambert Riverside Park, turning on water (expansion tank replaced at football field), fertilizing (except Collie School until water was turned on), knotweed treatment at Lambert Park (cut, buried with wood chips and plastic), tennis court strap repair, concession stand painting, quotes for tree removal at Head Cemetery and poison ivy treatment, three upcoming burials, rebuilding paint machine compressor, and installing no-bicycle/e-bike/motorized vehicle signs at Petersbrook (Denati and Veterans Park to follow).
- Pickleball Nets for Fraser Park: Rob reported purchasing a removable net (not yet installed) at a cost of approximately $700 each. Discussion centered on making room for a second net and ensuring budget funds are allocated; Rob noted other priorities like tennis court cracks.
- Tennis Court Cracks: Severe cracks on the tennis courts were discussed. A layer has been overlaid before but cracks reoccurred. Members emphasized sealing cracks to prevent water damage and considered hiring a road crack-sealing company; the pickleball group at Rock Rimmon does their own maintenance with town-supplied materials. Rob agreed to inspect and report.
- Hackett Hill Property: Rob contacted Mr. Duhain about walking the property to assess usability (construction background). Duhain agreed; Rob will set a date and invited other members to join.
- Riverside Park Storyboards: The project was tabled until Randall can attend a future meeting.
- Youth Sports (HYA) Updates: Softball opening day May 3, baseball May 2, flag football May 4 (Saturday, Sunday, Monday). Discussion on field damage from flag football practicing on weak grass areas; flag football has ~450 kids. Members expressed concern over spring play damaging fields and suggested fall-only play would allow rest. Baseball now runs Monday through Friday with few weekend games; most older kids play travel sports.
- Turf Field Consideration: Members discussed the benefits of a turf field (cost ~$1.5 million for one field, 10-year warranty, need to save $150k/year). A member noted ARPA funds could have been used but were allocated to other deferred projects. The idea remains aspirational.
- Desert Storm Memorial Ceremony: Kathy and Rob attended the ceremony at Veterans Park; WMUR’s Sean McDonald and the Hoods school band were present. The memorial was requested by Mr. Danforth, a Desert Storm veteran.
- Boy Scout Benches: Jeff Scott quoted ~$260 per bench for materials. Proposals to place benches at Fraser and Lambert Parks; Rob will coordinate with Ben on purchasing supplies.
- Sign Donation: Mr. Mercier (Mercier family) will fabricate a metal sign for the bridge; a plaque will be included. The sign will be a donation, pending council approval.
- Town Council Update: The town is on its third default budget; department budgets will be cut. Home Day may have no fireworks or stage; town administrator Andre Garrin is meeting with department heads to find savings.
- Motion to Enter Non-Public Session: A motion was made under RSA 91A:1(b) (reputation protection) to discuss the Riverside Park storyboards, as the matter could adversely affect the reputation of a non-member. The motion was seconded and approved by roll call vote: Andy (yes), Kathy (yes), Judy (yes), and one additional member (yes). Rob (non-voting) remained for the discussion. No public session items remained.
Key Outcomes
- The commission voted unanimously (4-0) to enter non-public session under RSA 91A:1(b) to discuss the Riverside Park storyboards.
- No other formal votes were taken; directions were given to proceed with quotes for tennis court sealing, explore budget for pickleball nets, schedule a walk-through of Hackett Hill, and coordinate with Ben on bench supplies and pickleball storage.
Meeting Transcript
The alarm. So it was a real alarm. Actually Sabina did this. Yeah, because it was nice outside. Yeah, last week was beautiful. But do they have drills? Like where I worked, we had to have like supplies drills to see how fast you could get out. Hi. There is. Is that upstairs? Yeah, he might have to go out and around and through the well, we go through those. He won't be able to get all the way down because the doors. Well, I didn't go around to the front. The front. Because I saw Tommy Walsh and I saw Yuri Popalaffee there. And um Barb Brennan, I wouldn't have thought she was in Republican. 615 call to order. Whatever. Attendance. Andy. Cassie. Oh is this one? Oh no. Rob and Judy. Okay, Pledge of Allegiance. Like the 16th. Is that a thing on the minutes? Okay. Um the staff report. Uh the dog park signed. I didn't install it, I just purchased it. Okay. Oh. So that is Evelyn, I guess. No big deal though, right? No, I mean I just want the minutes corrected. Well, yeah, because no, I didn't install it yet. I just purchased it. I thought you did put in the new dog. No. Just purchased it. I didn't put it up yet. Is there a new sign up there? Nope. Oh, okay. So it's in it's going to be installed. Yes. Okay. So we'll just test the card. I just let you know not installed yet.
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