Mont Vernon's recreation activities are an important part of our community character. Our many town-wide events offer townspeople a way to meet, exercise, and enjoy leisure time together. The all-volunteer Recreation Commission is in itself an example of how the town tends to run on the generosity and commitment of townspeople. As more residents work outside of the home and outside of the town, fewer and fewer residents have time to volunteer to run our community-bonding events. Finding volunteers is currently the most pressing concern.

The existing recreation facilities are consistent with Mont Vernon's small and rural town character in that they favor activities that do not require buildings or much equipment. Our many miles of hiking trails, scenic roads for jogging and outdoor playground, baseball field and basketball courts provide many recreational opportunities.

Local recreation programs include Milford Community Athletic Association (MCAA) and Amherst Recreation Little League baseball, football, and soccer. After age sixteen, Mont Vernon teenagers participate in Souhegan Valley League sports with Amherst teens. The Recreation Commission also sponsors a one-week day camp for first through third graders.

Community Profile participants expressed a desire for a community swimming pool, skate park, and tennis courts, such as those available in neighboring towns, but it is unlikely that such facilities will be funded within the next 10 years.

The foremost issues to address at present are finding devoted volunteers and preventing volunteer "burn-out".

Facilities and Programs

In addition to the facilities in the table that follows, residents often take walks in beautiful Greenlawn Cemetery, which is used as if it were a park. It is equipped with benches and space for picnics, and it borders Cemetery Road, which is a proposed designated scenic road. The cemetery trustees acknowledge and encourage the use of the cemetery as a park.

The Town should consider placing benches in the Town Park to encourage its use, and consider having horseshoe pits in town, perhaps at Lamson Farm.

Inventory of Recreation Facilities

Source: NH Outdoor Recreation Plan.

The New Hampshire Outdoor Recreation Plan outlines a set of standards that are recommended for use throughout the State, in order to assess the adequacy of recreation facilities to meet population demands. These are presented in the following table, but should be interpreted with caution, as they represent flexible, general guidelines.

Recreation Facility Assessment (2000)

Fractions have been rounded down to the nearest whole number.

Overall, the Town compares well with the State standards.

McCollom Field is big enough for t-ball and little league but it is not a standard sized ballfield. Having a second diamond to accommodate all the T-ball participants would benefit the children. Possible locations for another ball field are the land adjacent to McCollom Field or the newly-acquired town land behind library. If another school is built, adjacent land for playing fields should be a planned part of it.

The only place for adults to play organized sports is the Village School gymnasium. Many adults jog at Lamson Farm or on the roads. It would be helpful to survey adults and find out what kind of recreation facilities they would like to have in town.

Milford and Nashua both have skate parks that are enjoyed by Mont Vernon's youth.

RECREATIONAL USES MAP

The Recreation Commission needs a secure place approximately 10' X 15' to store bats, balls, costumes, etc. At one time, they used a closet in the school, but they currently store equipment in private homes and barns and in the Town Hall. Storage space at the school may be available when remodeling is completed in 2001. If a comparative study shows that this would be the best use, the Old Salt Shed could be used for recreation committee storage space.

The Recreation Commission hosts about one event per month, including:

• Summer camp
• T-ball for kids
• Easter egg hunt for toddlers through third grade
• Christmas tree lighting, hay rides & caroling at Town Hall
• Halloween haunted barn
• Halloween candy collection and distribution
• Lamson Farm Day: children's games, races, trivia contest
• Spring Gala: The Spring Gala was originally organized by a separate committee, with some participation from the Rec Commission. There have not been sufficient volunteers for a separate Gala Committee in recent years, so the Rec Commission has organized and run the event. We would like to build up the spring gala, keep its home-town spirit, keep it an opportunity for town groups to raise funds without a carnival atmosphere.

The Rec Commission purchases a new volleyball annually for Thursday night volleyball team.

Many kids take advantage of the recreation activities available in neighboring towns.

The Rec Commission would like input for recreation facilities or events that seniors and adults would like to have in town.

In addition to the activities sponsored by the Rec Commission, There are several clubs and organizations in town which provide recreation. The following clubs and groups do not appear on state recommendation lists, but they reflect our appreciation of agriculture and crafts, history and culture, and they reflect the character of our town. These are just a few:

• Annual Messiah Sing at the congregational church attracts participants from surrounding towns
• Round Room Coffeehouse at the church provides entertainment
• The Mont Vernon Historical Society meets monthly, runs a museum, and has an associated Junior Historical Society

• The Friends of the Daland Memorial Library host book and movie discussions, travelogues and lectures
• Mont Vernon Fiber Folks (spinning)
• Gun Club at the Rifle Range
• Late Bloomers Garden Club

• Cub Scout Pack 420
• Mont Vernon Congregational Church Vacation Bible School
• Congregational Church Youth Group
• 4-H
• Summer art camp
• Girl Scouts/Brownies

Staff

The Recreation Commission is an all-volunteer organization of currently five members, but twelve would be optimal. It's difficult to get volunteers to join the commission, but often volunteers will help with specific events. The need for a paid director is far in the future, beyond the scope of this master plan. The biggest problem presently is volunteer burn-out. It would be helpful if there were a better means of connecting prospective volunteers with the many opportunities to serve in town.

Equipment

Equipment such as bats, balls, costumes, and props is adequate at this time. Town funding, fees or donations for activities, and limited fund raising has been sufficient for the present activities. Additional funding would be required if the range of activities or the number of participants increases.

Summary of Action Items