Dear Members, Friends, and Lake Lovers:

The old saying goes…it takes a village to raise a child.  To extend the metaphor…it takes a community to re-build a boat ramp.  

We are very pleased to announce that the boat ramp is virtually complete, with the last touches coming soon.  In any case, the ramp is open for business.  With the goal of reconstructing the 1962 boat ramp (and adjoining areas) to make launching and retrieving watercraft safer and easier and making the whole area more aesthetically pleasing, work commenced last fall and ramped up   this spring. Here is the, what and by whom, particulars: 

Improvements

• The concrete portion of the new ramp extends about 40 feet into the water or 15 feet longer than before.  Beyond the concrete is 8 feet of scour resistant rip rap (stone).  This 23- foot underwater difference is designed, among other things, to eliminate berms caused by power loading. 
• 2 well marked lanes for launching/retrieving motorized watercraft.  Each lane is 14 feet wide (same as before) flanked by security bollards on the east and west sides, 
• On the east side, the plan is to install a 10 foot aluminum walkway and a 24 seasonal dock system, both 4 feet wide, for use by folks for the launching and recovery of non-motorized watercraft, such as kayaks and paddle boards, 
• The years old and crushed culvert under S. Shore Road and running parallel to the east ride of the ramp has been replaced.  It, in combination with the catchment basins on either side of the parking lot, will slow and better disperse runoff before it enters the Lake,
• Fresh new signage, both at the ramp and in the parking area,
• New fencing on the west side is in place, Thank you to the landowner who agreed to let us replace her fence, and
• Landscaping, crushed stone, and grading to better disperse rain runoff.. 

Who Helped 

This project has been a serious undertaking that involved many participants and jurisdictions.  The ramp and parking lot are owned by the State. The Town is responsible for boat ramp maintenance.  This made approvals and permits a bit more tricky.  

You will recall that this project was launched (pun intended) by a financial gift by Spofford resident and SLA member Ron Coburn.  The Town then stepped up to add AARPA monies.  Some residual funds from an earlier 319 runoff grant were used for culvert work.  All these combined funded the project. 

Let’s hear it for the yeoman’s work of the Boat Ramp Committee, i.e., Ron Coburn, BOS rep Mary Ewell, Chris Oot, and Bayard Tracy, along with the Town BOS. Also, many thanks to the engineering consulting firm, CivilWork New England, Pat Rawson Construction of West Chesterfield, and the concrete contractor, Carter Concrete Works of Spofford. 

We heartily thank them all for their months of work to make this a reality for the whole Town to enjoy. 

A Giving Community

We have more folks to thank.  Soon there will be a stunning new ”Welcome” sign courtesy of Steve McAnney of McAnney Fine Art Signs in Swanzey.  Steve generously donated his expertise, time, and materials and coincidentally crafted the original sign.  Many thanks to Art Huggins, who brought Steve into the picture.  

Look for the old sign to have a new life as we will be auctioning it off at this year’s Annual Meeting on July 26.  Get your checkbooks ready!

Look for simplified and upgraded signage at the ramp and parking lot.  Thanks to Mary Ewell, Jeff Scott, and Cindy Holton.

And speaking of giving, the SLA Board agreed at its May 5 meeting that the residual funds from the private donation will be devoted to the future upkeep of the boat ramp area, including the installation and removal of the dock, as well as landscaping clean up at both the ramp and parking areas.  We’ll be looking for volunteers to help out a couple of times a year. 

Words of Praise

Before the paint is dry, so to speak, we’re already getting kudos.  This one came in on April 29.  “I live in Keene and fish Spofford on a regular basis. I fished there today for the first time and all I can say is Wow....Great job on the ramp, drainage and the whole area...I fish a lot throughout the whole state and also VT…Be proud of what you have accomplished. I believe it is one of the best ramps in the state of NH. “

With Appreciation

In closing, we, the SLA, and dare we say all the residents of Chesterfield, and the countless visitors from the surrounding areas, extend great appreciation to Ron Coburn and the Town of Chesterfield, and many other contributors for making this desperately needed project come to fruition.  Thank you all so so much!

Happy and safe boating everyone!

The Spofford Lake Association