The Kearsarge Community Common team presented its draft master plan last month during a Sutton Planning Board meeting at Pillsbury Memorial Hall, outlining a vision for the former Camp Wabasso property.
Kearsarge Community Common (KCC) is envisioned as an outdoor destination and living classroom centered on sustainability, public gatherings and hands-on learning. The project aims to create New Hampshire’s first fully ADA-accessible public beach and dock while preserving much of the property as protected open space.
The presentation walked board members and community attendees through the project’s
planning framework, historic context, conservation goals, site design concepts and anticipated permitting process. The proposal centers on 46 acres of the 244-acre property, with a main common area on Blaisdell Lake and Billings Pond in Sutton.
The evening began with remarks from Kearsarge Regional High School student Mason
Christensen, who introduced the project by sharing what Kearsarge Community Common could mean for local youth and future generations. Notably, the first person to present the KCC vision was a student, a reflection of the project’s strong emphasis on learning and education at its core.
During his presentation, Christensen shared, “As a student, so much of life happens between just two places: school and home. Having Kearsarge Community Common become a third space is what makes this project so meaningful to me. I see it as a place for learning, enjoying nature, and finding a sense of calm. It could also become an incredible resource for families, offering the kinds of programs that meant so much to me growing up.”
Jackie Hudkins, general counsel for philanthropic projects at Hudkins Law, provided an
overview of the initiative and its guiding values, emphasizing community collaboration,
conservation, and long-term stewardship.
“The vision for Kearsarge Community Common is to build meaningful programmatic partnerships that can grow over time and foster resilient social connections across the region,” Hudkins said. “We’ve assembled a talented group of local and regional experts to help guide every aspect of this work, from arborists and landscape architects to engineers, conservation experts, and many others, ensuring the project is thoughtful, collaborative, and rooted in the needs of the community.”
Jim Steinkrauss, shareholder and member of the Environmental Practice Group at Rath, Young & Pignatelli, provided a historic use overview, outlining the legacy of the land as Camp Wabasso, a beloved summer camp previously operated by the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts, and how that history continues to inform the project’s vision.
Sally Manikian of The Conservation Fund followed with a presentation focused on
environmental priorities and the broader conservation framework guiding the project,
highlighting efforts to protect natural resources while creating meaningful public access
opportunities. Manikian also addressed the long-term goal to transition the property to a conservation-focused nonprofit for permanent stewardship.
Nick Aceto of Aceto Kimball Landscape Architecture presented the draft master plan, first
sharing historic imagery, former camp layouts, and current conditions. His presentation
emphasized a conservation-first approach, with careful attention to wetlands, water resources, and existing landscape features.
Significant efforts were made to concentrate buildings and programming on the main common, located at the center of the 46-acre parcel, minimizing environmental impact while creating accessibility throughout the site, including access to Blaisdell Lake.
Sheldon Pennoyer of Sheldon Pennoyer Architects introduced building programming concepts, including multi-generational gathering spaces, a community building with potential daycare uses, and a pavilion designed to support public programming and outdoor learning. He also touched on his regenerative planning approach, which prioritizes human health, ecosystem restoration and deep integration with the surrounding landscape and community. Rather than simply minimizing environmental impact, this framework focuses on net-positive outcomes through thoughtful site design, healthy and resilient spaces, responsible water and energy systems, and the use of local, bio-based materials, positioning the Kearsarge Community Common as a project that actively contributes to environmental and community vitality.
Greg Grigsby of Gradient Landscape Architects concluded the technical presentations with an overview of anticipated permitting pathways and regulatory timelines. He reaffirmed that the project remains in the early planning stages, with permitting expected to begin in 2026 pending further review and community input.
In the months leading up to the presentation, the KCC team prioritized community engagement, hosting public meetings in August and December, connecting with nonprofit organizations and abutters, and incorporating local feedback and perspectives to help shape KCC’s progress and overall vision.
Project leaders emphasized that no plans have been finalized or approved, and that
environmental assessments, traffic analysis, and continued community engagement will help shape the proposal as it moves forward.
Initial outreach has already generated meaningful community interest and collaboration, including feedback submitted through the KCC website, engagement from former Camp Wabasso alumni, and partnerships with a growing network of local and regional organizations, including: The Conservation Fund, Kearsarge Food Hub, Blaisdell Lake Protective Association, Kearsarge Neighborhood Partners, Neighbor Helping Neighbor Fund, Kearsarge Regional School District, Sunset Hill Educational Institute, New England Healing Sports Association, Sutton Conservation Commission, Sunapee-Ragged-Kearsarge Greenway Coalition and Concord–Lake Sunapee Rail Trail.
As the project seeks local approvals, organizers are beginning to offer hands-on learning
opportunities for high school students, including gardening and seed-to-table programming in partnership with the Kearsarge Food Hub. The project will also create opportunities for students to engage in vocational and outdoor experiences, such as assisting with property line blazing, creating trail markers, and participating in other skill-building projects alongside the KCC team.
The team is also collaborating with the New Hampshire Timber Owners Association to explore forestry-focused certificate programs and career pathways that could be hosted at KCC, helping connect students with hands-on training and opportunities in sustainable forestry and land stewardship.
The KCC team remains committed to transparency, thoughtful stewardship, and collaboration with local residents and partners. The full presentation will be posted on the website. Additional updates, opportunities for public input, and future project milestones will be shared at kearsargecommunitycommon.com and through the initiative’s social media channels on Facebook and Instagram @kearsargecommunitycommon.
About: Kearsarge Community Common is a proposed outdoor learning and conservation initiative in Sutton, N.H., designed to bring people together through nature, education, and community connection. The long-term goal is to transition the property to a conservation-focused nonprofit to ensure permanent stewardship and public access for future generations. You can learn more at kearsargecommunitycommon.com and by following Kearsarge Community Common on Facebook and Instagram @kearsargecommunitycommon.