Student, faculty-built trail has grand opening Saturday

The interpretive trail meanders though the Hanson Pines forest. (Courtesy photo)

ROCHESTER - A grand opening will be held Saturday for a newly created interpretive trail inside the Dominicus Hanson Park that was built by students and faculty from Spaulding High and the Richard W. Creteau Regional Technology Center.
Students and faculty from both schools as well as park trustees will gather for a special ceremony at 10 a.m. at a brand new kiosk built at the entrance to the park, which is next to the Hanson Pines Park playground

The project began when graduating senior Emily Reynolds and her environmental science teacher, Darren Scopel, found they shared a vision for creating an immersive and engaging experience that would enhance the visitor experience at the 30-acre forest next to SHS.
That vision, bolstered by encouragement from the trustees of the park, grew to include numerous students from the two high schools. Their interests in a wide range of subject areas - including environmental science, graphic design, computer technology, precision machining, engineering, geospatial science and woodworking - combined to create the "interpretive trail."
Students designed and constructed an informational kiosk at the entrance to the park, as well as stations along the trail that provide information about the natural environment and history of the park. There is also a wireless communications system that will allow walkers to access the trail map and individual station information on their smartphones.
SHS students also used resources from University of New Hampshire to develop a mapping system and to implement photographic monitoring of the environment of the pines forest with picture posts.