Land donation helps preserve access to Winnipesaukee River

By ROGER AMSDEN, for THE LACONIA DAILY SUN

NORTHFIELD — The donation of a three-quarter acre parcel of land along the Winnipesaukee River on Cross Mill Road will ensure continued access for white-water paddlers for generations to come.

The donation, made by Gloria Blais, 85, was celebrated recently with a signing ceremony at which Blais signed over the deed to the town of Northfield and then posed for pictures while holding a kayak paddle.

For years, the Blais family graciously allowed paddlers and fisherman to use their property for access to the river. But when "For Sale" signs appeared on the property at the beginning of the summer, Bob Nasdor from the American White Water Association and Ken Norton from Friends of the Winnipesaukee River and the Winnipesaukee River Trail Association sprang into action. They arranged a meeting with Gloria Blais and her son to discuss the possibility of protecting access to the river and also providing trailhead parking for the nearby Winnipesaukee River Trail. Blais was interested in doing something to honor her deceased husband, Roger, who had spent most of his life living on the property and offered to donate the parcel to the town.

Working together with Eliza Conde from the Winnipesaukee River Trail Association, they met with the Northfield Conservation Commission, where they received a very enthusiastic response. Chair Kevin Fife said, "I've fished that section of river for years and it is a beautiful spot which I now enjoy with my kids." Commission member David Krause, who is a registered surveyor, offered to donate all of the survey and plot plan work. Further meetings were held with the Northfield Board of Selectmen, Planning Board and Zoning Board to gain the necessary approvals and all were very supportive of the project. Legal work was donated by Tom Quarrels from Devine, Millimet and Branch, as well as from attorney Scott McGuffin.

Taking part in the ceremony were Wayne Crowley, chairman of the Northfield selectmen, Glenn Smith, town manager; Fife and David Krause of the Conservation Commission, Eliza Conde and Ken Norton, representing the Winnipesaukee River Trail Association, Bob Nasdor from American White Water and McGuffin.

They discussed planned improvements to the site including a gravel parking area and a memorial plaque identifying it as the Roger and Gloria Blais Conservation Area. Crowley thanked Blais for her generosity and giving such a great gift to the town. Blais said, "This would mean so much to my late husband, Roger. I'm very excited to do this on his behalf and I look forward to seeing people using it."

Norton said, "The preservation of public access on the Blais property is really the jewel in the crown, as it was the last privately held key access point for white-water paddling on the river. Mrs. Blais has given a very generous gift which will be enjoyed and benefit generations to come."

He said that the Winnipesaukee River has undergone significant transformation over the years, and as the put in for the "Lower Winni" the Blais property holds strategic significance for efforts to promote economic development through conservation and recreation.

Gathering to take note of the donation of a 3/4-acre piece of land to be used as water access for paddlers are Eliza Conde, Winnipesaukee River Trail Association; Glen Smith Northfield town manager; Ken Norton, Friends of the Winnipesaukee River; Wayne Crowley, chairman of the Northfield selectmen; , Gloria Blais, Scott McGuffin ; David Krause of the Northfield Conservation Commission; Bob Nasdor, American Whitewater; and Kevin Fife, chair of the Northfield Conservation Commission. (Courtesy photo)