The New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation is celebrating 75 years of providing NH residents and visitors with opportunities to explore and enjoy the state’s great variety of outdoor attractions. The year-long party came to a head on Wednesday, August 18th, with the grand opening of the Gilson Pond Campground in Monadnock State Park. It is the first new campground in the park system in 40 years.

The Gilson Pond Campground adds significant capacity to one of the state’s most popular parks. It features 35 drive-up sites, accommodating tents, trailers, and RVs, as well as 5 remote hike-to sites. The campground also has a brand new bathhouse with showers and a children’s playground.

A number of speakers opened the festivities and highlighted the significance of the new facility, and the park system as a whole.  Division of Parks and Recreation Director Ted Austin introduced Ann Royce, the former Chair of the Monadnock Advisory Commission, and George Bald, the Commissioner of the Department of Resources and Economic Development. Commissioner Bald acknowledged the contributions of the many groups and individuals involved with getting the new campground off the ground, highlighting in particular the efforts of Charles Royce. He also read a letter from Governor John Lynch in honor of the opening.

Also speaking were Will Abbott, Vice President of Policy and Land Management at the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests, and Ted Manning, Vice President of Merchandising for Eastern Mountain Sports. Abbott praised the many partnerships that are involved in making Monadnock State Park such a spectacular destination, and also alluded to the need to ensure adequate funding for the park system so that such successes continue. Manning spoke of the importance of a robust park system to businesses like his, and also highlighted a developing partnership between EMS and NH State Parks.

After a ribbon cutting ceremony, event-goers were treated to a State Parks birthday cake. Visitors also got to take a tour of the facility, led by Park Planning and Development Specialist Johanna Lyons and Department Architect Thomas Mansfield. The tour guides spoke about the many features of the campground that are new or unique to the park system. These included signs made out of recycled plastic, stone excavated during construction reused on-site, and sites designed with tent platforms to prevent site erosion.

Gilson Pond Campground is open Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Monadnock State Park is open year-round.