Former paper mill site in Franklin could become adventure park

$45,000 needed to fund project plans

BY WMUR | AUGUST 10, 2016

FRANKLIN, N.H. —A fundraising barbecue is planned this month to support efforts to turn a former paper mill site in Franklin into an outdoor adventure park.

The Concord Monitor reported Marty Parichand, who already operates an outdoor equipment store in Franklin, hopes to install whitewater paddling amenities, a mountain bike pump track, a community garden and an "eco-village" campsite.

Event space is also planned for the city-owned property along the Winnipesaukee River.

The barbecue is scheduled for Aug. 20.

Parichand and nonprofit PermaCityLife must raise $45,000 to get the project started.

He has asked state environmental regulators for more frequent dam releases to improve the river for paddling.

Parichand said this would be the only whitewater paddling park in New England.