Warner Road and Brown Brook
75 acres of wooded property, marshes, and a well-used recreational trail
Public access
November 2012

The Watman Conservation Area is made up of three separate lots of land already owned by Henniker that the town Conservation Commission decided to preserve through a conservation easement. The Conservation Commission gave Five Rivers the money to purchase the easement from the Town of Henniker and assume stewardship over the land. During the yearlong process, Selectman Thomas Watman passed away. He had been closely involved with the project and the town named the area in his honor. The north-east lot was already preserved as the Preston Memorial Forest but has been incorporated into the larger conservation area.

The tract of land on the west side of the road has a path that runs back from the road to a small clearing and Brown Brook. The mossy-banked stream comes down from the north and passes through a marsh that lies to the west of the clearing. 

Throughout the entire property there are boulders, ledges, and vernal pools that give the land a special character. The southern-most lot is the only one that allows motorized access due to a provision to let ATVs continue to use an old woods road that connects to a larger ATV trail system to the east. The Watman Conservation Area lies just south of lands conserved by the Town of Warner and north of forests preserved by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. Wildlife frequently pass through these forests, leaving tracks in the mud. The forest is also known for being a good location for spotting raptors.

There are provisions in the easement agreement that allow for forestry and agriculture if the town chooses but this is not likely in the near future. There is also the possibility of using the conserved area for educational purposes and creating a network of official trails. Development however, is no longer an option.

Western Avenue
11.36 acres
Public access and boat launch
August 2013

This conservation area serves as a memorial to Cliff Eisner, a kayaker, as well as a local teacher at John Stark Regional High School, who died in a kayak accident on the Saco River in 2006.

The easement also serves as an important launch point for whitewater paddlers enjoying the popular section of the Contoocook river that runs from Hillsborough to Henniker. This section of the Contoocook River contains rapids ranging in difficulty from Class II to Class IV.

The forest that makes up the 11 acres is a mixture of white pine, red maple and red oak with a mixture of shrubs and wetland vegetation. There are numerous vernal pools, one wetland that is larger and deeper, and a small perennial stream also crosses the property. There is approximately 838 feet of scenic unimproved frontage on Western Ave. There is approximately 1,000 feet of scenic unimproved frontage on the Contoocook River. There is the trace of an old path leading to the larger wetland.

There is a wooden bench overlooking the river and a small dilapidated wooden foot bridge. The canoe launch is an unimproved area where people carry (or slide) boats into the river. The old road at the northeastern boundary is now a grassed pathway.

Flanders Road
61 acres
Public access, no formal trails
January 2009

Five Rivers’ Chase Brook Easement is located south of the Henniker town center. This 61-acre wooded conservation area includes a portion of Chase Brook, which is a tributary of the Contoocook River. There is a 0.6-mile main trail that runs roughly north to south through the property and is maintained by the Henniker Trail Travelers snowmobile club. The trail ascends gradually from the access point on Flanders Road and continues off the easement onto private property.

The forest consists of a diverse mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees. Sunlight trickles through the canopy, and ferns and wildflowers cover the forest floor. When you go, keep an eye out for Jack-in-the-Pulpit flowers whose clustered green berries turn bright red in late summer and fall.

Off-trail explorations will lead you to hills and boulders to the east and Chase Brook to the west. The brook is easy and fun to explore for both adults and children. Follow the brook upstream and you will find deeper pools to sit by in quiet contemplation or just for a good foot soak! This is a wonderful place for all to enjoy! Parking is along the road near the junction of Flanders and Craney Hill Roads.