GOFFSTOWN - The Goffstown Main Street Program has proposed a small park that would straddle both sides of the Piscataquog River in Goffstown Village.

The Main Street Program received the thumbs-up from the board of selectmen Monday to continue planning for the park, according to Town Administrator Sue Desruisseaux. The project will cost $150,000 and could be completed next year, depending upon how fast donations and grants flow in, according to Robbie Grady, the executive director for the program. 

The first part is a small park between the river and Factory Street. Grady said the Main Street Program wants to clear a small parking lot off the street, remove underbrush near the river, and plant grass. The park would on less than an acre on the east of the town rail trail, closer to the dam.

The most expensive phase is on the other side of the river, where Grady envisions a series of granite blocks leading from Mill Street down to the edge of the water. The blocks could be a place for picnics, fishing, and other recreational activities. Smaller steps between the blocks would lead from the road down to the river bank.

The blocks could run for as much as 150 feet between the street and the Piscataquog.

Both park areas would be on town land, but Grady is not asking the town for any money. “Our goal is to pay for this without any tax money involved—that this would be a gift to the town from the Goffstown Main Street Program,” she said.

“We’re very excited about this opportunity,” Grady added. “We certainly think that this will be an enhancement to the village. It’s very consistent with a lot of ideas and discussions that have been floated for the past 10 years.”

One recent effort among various town committees and community organizations has focused on making Goffstown a destination for tourists, shoppers, and businesses owners.

Scott Gross, chairman of the board of selectmen, said the river park will help fulfill that goal. “I think this will certainly contribute towards making Goffstown a destination not only for our residents but also for those out of town,” Gross said.