Lafayette place forest improvement

May 17, 2022
The work has been completed at Lafayette Campground and the hiking trails are open.

April 4, 2022

The next phase of the forest improvement harvest at Lafayette Place Campground will begin April 4.  The campground will be closed while this work is performed. Work will be completed for the campground opening for the 2022 season on May 20, 2022.

What to Expect/How to Prepare
•    Prior to visiting the Lafayette Place trailhead area, check the project page for updates.
•    Camping shall be prohibited during the tree work (campground opens May 20.)
•    Public access to the campground will be CLOSED. Access to the Lonesome Lake trail may be temporarily restricted.
•    Temporary reroutes to access Lonesome Lake Trail may occur, follow signs or updates posted on the trail.  .
•    Closure of the Lafayette Place parking areas.
•    Visitors can expect to see and hear forestry equipment, chippers, trucks and tree debris when the project is occurring.

Phase 3 of the project will continue  work of removing aging trees before they pose a potential risk to campers and to release younger understory trees to provide them room to grow.  New growth resulting from the harvest will also increase the vegetative buffer between campsites improving privacy.

For more information on this next phase of the project:
A.J.Dupere
Urban Forester
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources - Division of Forests and Lands
(603) 431-6774 or armand.p.dupere@dncr.nh.gov

May 21, 2020
The next phase of the forest improvement harvest is underway at the Lafayette Place Campground. The phase 2 of the project will remove aging trees before they pose a potential risk to campers and to release younger understory trees to provide them room to grow.  New growth resulting from the harvest will also increase the vegetative buffer between campsites improving privacy.

After contracting a professional arborist to remove the risk trees in April to ensure camper’s safety this season, the foresters selected additional trees for removal by marking them with blue paint. During the winter of 2020-2021 the marked trees will be harvested and utilized for forest products that we all need such as lumber, paper and wood chips to generate electricity. While this operation will result in a significant visual change to the campground it is important to remember that it is temporary and necessary. The remaining trees will have more room to grow and develop while openings in the forest canopy will allow more light to reach the forest floor for new tree seedlings to become established and grow between campsites.

For more information on this next phase of the project:
Maggie Machinist, Regional Forester
Department of Natural and Cultural Resources - Division of Forests and Lands
(603)788-4157 or Margaret.Machinist@dncr.nh.gov

May 11, 2020
The contractor from Chippers using chainsaws, chippers and a bucket truck have been hard at work removing and pruning trees at the campground. AJ Dupere from the Division of Forests and Lands marked the trees exhibiting poor health to be removed with blue ribbon. As you can see from the stumps of the trees, there is evidence of poor tree health. The project should be wrapped up by the end of the week if the weather remains fair. As a reminder, due to the CoVid-19 public health emergency, camping is prohibited at Lafayette Place campground until the park opens for the season. Check our CoVid-19 Response page for up to date information.

April 30, 2020
Due to weather delays, the project will continue into May. The parking lots at Lafayette Place are open and guests are reminded to park in designated spots and not to block gates.

What to Expect/How to Prepare

• Prior to visiting the Lafayette Place trailhead area, check the project page for updates.
• Camping is prohibited in the Lafayette Place Campground.
• Public access may be temporarily restricted to the campground and Lonesome Lake trail.
• Temporary reroutes to access Lonesome Lake Trail may be posted.
• Visitors can expect to see and hear forestry equipment, chippers, trucks and tree debris when the project is occurring.
• Have an alternate parking plan! The Franconia Notch State Park bike path connects all the attractions and parking areas in the park.

March 24, 2020
In order to provide a safe recreational environment and encourage new trees to grow, staff from the Divisions of Parks and Recreation and Forests and Lands have identified approximately 50+/- trees to be removed or pruned in April 2020 in the Lafayette Place Campground at Franconia Notch State Park.

For more information, contact  AJ Dupere, Urban Forester, 603-431-6774, Armand.Dupere@dncr.nh.gov