Tyler Landing Town Forest / Pamela Blackford Canoe Launch and Walking Path

Tyler Landing is a 5.7-acre Town Forest located on Penacook Road near Tyler Bridge. The property protects 1,100 feet of frontage on the Contoocook River. The name Tyler Landing is a reference to the ferry that shuttled travelers across the Contoocook River from this property before a bridge was built.

Thanks to generous funding from the Blackford family, the property has been enhanced for public access with a canoe launch, walking trail, and small parking area.

Directions:
From Contoocook or Hopkinton Villages, take Penacook Road towards the Transfer Station. The property is located next to Tyler Bridge on the west side of Penacook Road, across the Contoocook River from Bohanan Farm. The access drive is marked with a Tyler Landing sign.

Walking path: Walking path: .3-mile loop Canoe Launch: From the parking area, follow the path along the fence, cross the metal bridge, and turn right toward the river.

History:

Tyler Landing was acquired by the town in 2021 with funding provided by the Hopkinton Conservation Commission and the NH Drinking Water and Groundwater Trust Fund, a grant program administered by NH Department of Environmental Services to protect community water sources. The property is located within four miles of the Riverhill intake for the City of Concord water supply.

The Pamela Blackford canoe launch and walking path was generously donated by the Blackford family in memory of Pamela, a long-time Hopkinton resident who loved paddling on the river. Pam came to Hopkinton in 1958 when she married John Blackford, an owner of HMC Corporation in Contoocook. They raised their three children in town and were active members of the Hopkinton community until they moved to a retirement community in 2011. The Blackfords were inspired to give back to the town of Hopkinton in appreciation for their many years in town, wanting to provide residents some of the same outdoor recreation opportunities that their family enjoyed. A beautifully crafted wooden bench along the trail, dedicated to Pam Blackford, offers a quiet respite along the river.

History of Ferry Crossing, from “Life and Times in Hopkinton NH” by C.C. Lord:

A historic marker located across the river on Bohanan Farm (near the parking area off Penacook Road) notes the site of Hopkinton’s first ferry: “First Ferry in Hopkinton 1766; First Public Bridge 1779”.

In “Life and Times in Hopkinton NH”, author C.C. Lord wrote about a second ferry authorized by the Town in 1772 and operated by Thomas Bickford until the first bridge was built in 1779:

“On the 29th of December, 1772, a vote was passed to build a ferry ” over Contoocook river,” and Captain Putney, Lieutenant Chandler, and Lieutenant Straw were made a committee to effect the purpose. This seems to have been a second ferry, below Contoocook village, at a point near the spot where Tyler’s bridge is now located. This ferry was, for a longer or shorter time, managed by Thomas Bickford. On March 1, 1773, the following acts in relation to this ferry were passed: Voted to give Mr Thomas Bigford the ferra and the old Boat as it is now with his Coming under Bonds to free the Town from all Charges Relating the feary and his Building and Keeping a Boate Sufficiant to Drive in a Cart with one yoake of oxen and a Load for Six During his Life.

The location of the old Bickford ferry is now recognizable, the place being a few rods up the river from Tyler’s bridge, where vestiges of the ancient appointments remain.”

From “Life and Times in Hopkinton NH”, by C.C. Lord, Published 1890

Karen’s Woods is a 75-acre Town Forest donated by David Dufault in memory of his wife Karen. The property, located near the intersection of Dolly Road and Maple Street, includes a mile-long trail that leads to a scenic viewpoint over a vast, open wetland. This significant wetland provides valuable habitat for wildlife and contains the drainage from Gould and Putney Hills before flowing into the Contoocook River in downtown Contoocook.

Directions:
Parking is available on Dolly Road, .1 mile from its intersection with Maple Street. The parking lot is not plowed in winter but there is adequate space for cars on the shoulder of Dolly Road.

Walking path: 1-mile loop. Follow the signs labeled ‘Loop Trail’ to the foot bridge where visitors can enjoy views over the wetland to the backside of Gould Hill. From the Loop Trail, a connector trail leads to the Dearborn Christmas Tree Farm on Cross Road.

Note: Hunting is not permitted on Karen’s Woods.

History:

David Dufault donated this 75-acre property to the Town of Hopkinton in 2024 in memory of his wife, Karen Brown Dufault. Karen especially loved the serenity she found in these woods. Dave and Karen, who lived on Stony Brook Lane, began acquiring adjacent parcels during the 1970’s and enjoyed accessing the ‘backland’ from their home. Dave took great pride in managing the land for timber. He developed trails from skidder roads and generously permitted neighbors to use these trails. Some of these logging roads are incorporated into the Loop Trail.

Dave Dufault gifted this parcel so that it could be enjoyed “as a refuge for everyone, where anyone can retreat from the hustle and bustle of this modern life and enjoy the flora and fauna that the Lord has graciously provided for the pleasure of all”.

At Town Meeting in March 2025, voters approved designation as a Town Forest. In November 2025, over 50 people attended the official dedication of Karen’s Woods. Special thanks to Ron Klemarczyk, Chair of the Hopkinton Conservation Commission, for overseeing construction of the parking area, access road, loop trail and footbridge, and to the many volunteers who helped clear the trail and build the bridge.

The Hopkinton Conservation Commission intends to continue the careful forest management that Dave Dufault initiated.

Putney Hill – Hopkinton Village Greenway Connector

This trail connects Putney Hill Road, just north of its intersection with Old Putney Hill Road, to the Hopkinton Village Greenway, approximately .4 miles south from Hopkinton Road/Route 103. Marked with blue blazes, the trail crosses an open field on privately owned land and along stone walls to Town-owned property known as the “Aqueduct Lot”, previously a well-field for the Hopkinton Village Precinct. Along this section of the trail, recent logging opened a view to the northeast. The trail continues downhill to where it connects with the Hopkinton Village Greenway.

First Parsonage Trail

This is an old town road, now Class VI, which begins on the west side of Putney Hill Road near the historic marker and cellar hole designating the site of Hopkinton’s First Parsonage, located approximately .4 miles south of Hopkinton Road/Route 103. It is a short and pleasant downhill walk to Dolly Road. Many folks use this trail as a loop walk or fitness run which includes other routes on town roads or the trail network on Putney Hill Road which heads east to the Hopkinton Village Greenway or west to Cross Road toward Contoocook Village.

Riverway Park, located in the center of Contoocook Village, provides river access for kayaks, canoes and rowboats. The park is a hub of activity during warmer months when it is the site of a Saturday morning Farmer’s Market. During the summer, the town’s Recreation Department hosts musical events in the Lewellen Bandstand.

The historic Contoocook Railroad Depot is adjacent to the park and includes the Depot Visitor Center, a 1907 vintage passenger coach, a late 1800’s section house, and the world’s oldest surviving covered railroad bridge. More information about the Contoocook Railroad Depot can be found at https://www.contoocookdepot.org/.

The Little Tooky Trail begins in Riverway Park and connects through the Contookcook Cemetery to the trailhead on Little Tooky Road.

Parking is available in the town lot next to the bandstand.