UPDATE APRIL 2004

Background
The Wason Pond Conservation & Recreation (formerly Silver Sands Campground) was purchased by the Town of Chester in January 2003 after about a year of negotiations with the former owner. The Town paid $1.555 million dollars for the approximate 105-acre site, which includes a number of buildings and a 15-acre pond and swimming beach. The funds for the purchase came from the Town's Conservation Fund - set up in 2000 when residents approved a $3 million bond for the purchase of conservation easements and properties.

Over the Last Year
Since January, much progress has been made in turning the former campground into an outdoor recreation and conservation area:

• A 7-person advisory committee was appointed by the Board of Selectmen to advise them on Wason Pond matters.
• Interim regulations were drawn up and approved by the Selectmen. The regulations are provided on the reverse side of this bulletin. These are in effect until the formal easement protecting the property is put in place.
• A cleanup day was held to remove some of the campground debris.
• A first-ever fishing tournament was held at Wason Pond.
• A survey of the property was donated by Tim Peloquin of Promised Land Survey. The survey will be used to establish exact boundaries, plan playing fields, and to delineate any environmentally sensitive areas
• Under the Town's Recreation Commission, the beach area was opened for the summer. Lifeguards were hired and trained, swimming lessons were offered, and some of the Town's Summer Program was moved to Wason Pond.
• The year-round cottage at the beach, the camp store, storage garage, and bath house were cleaned and prepared for use.
• A caretaker was hired to provide a presence to deter any after-hours prohibited uses. James Hathaway - a Chester resident - rents the cottage at the beach and is there year round.
• Through the hard work of several volunteers, the house on Route 102 - near the dam - has been renovated to provide a Community Centerfor Chester residents. The Chester Seniors have priority use, Monday -Thursday, from 10 AM to 4 PM. One of the Girl Scout troops is scheduled on Monday evening, the Tiger Cubs on Wednesday evening, and the Lion's Club Business meeting is on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Residents and Local Organizations may schedule use of the Community Center through the Chester Recreation Department.
• The Chester MOMS Club asked for and was approved for a site to place their new playground. It will be located about 150 feet north of the Community Center at 603 Raymond Road, and behind a row of trees. Construction is slated for late spring 2004.
• The Boy Scouts have used the property for activities.
• A grant of $100,000 was received from the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund to defray the original purchase price.
• The Community Center was decorated by volunteers at Christmas, and was featured on the Historical Society's Holiday House Tour! Remaining work to the Community Center, including installing a rear egress in the meeting room, widening the front door to accommodate wheelchairs, and making the handicapped ramp ADA compliant will begin in April.

• Design for athletic fields will begin. Preliminary plans call for a soccer field, one designated baseball diamond, and an additional athletic field to be constructed in the area of the present open area abutting Rte. 102. Gregsak Engineering is donating technical expertise for this effort. The cost of the much-needed fields may be defrayed by Federal grants.
• All campsite utilities are to be removed. The 250 decommissioned campsites still have electrical outlets and water lines. Through an agreement with a Hampton, N.H., campground owner, the outlet boxes, spigots, and meter housings will be removed free of any charge to the town. This effort is in keeping with the purpose of "de-developing" the campground and turning it into recreational open space.
• A master plan for the property is being completed, by Ms. Anne Poole, an outside consultant with expertise in outdoor recreation. The plan will provide accurate information about existing conditions and possible uses for the property. The goal is to develop long-term conservation and recreation goals for the area.
• A conservation easement has been completed, and is ready to be placed on the property. Simply put, the easement will allow the property to be used only for its intended purpose - outdoor recreation and open space. The easement will ensure that the property will never be taken for a school or municipal building or be sold by the Town for development.
• Portions of the back part of the property will be planted with grasses, and shrubs suitable for wildlife habitat. Particular attention will be paid to areas that have been denuded or where the soil has been compacted. Much of this work will be done with the aid of grant money.
• Specified parking areas will be graded and graveled and a defined trail system will be laid out.