LAKEPORT—Just as people across the region are starting to think about getting outside for a walk or bike ride, developer Scott Everett has launched a project that will make the Lakeport end of the WOW Trail and the emerging Opechee Loop safer and more appealing for all users.

The effort is one of the early phases in the development of the Opechee Loop, an extension of the WOW Trail that will take cyclists, runners and walkers safely around Lake Opechee on a course that will add close to six additional miles of recreation and transportation options for residents and visitors. 

To support and enhance the project, Everett is collaborating with the WOW Trail and the city of Laconia.   

Nate Guerette, director of the Laconia Department of Public Works and a member of the WOW Trail board, was instrumental in getting city approvals for the project, and Michelle DuPont, owner of Lake Opechee Inn and Spa, made the space available to make this phase of the expansion of the Lakeport section of the trail happen.  

“The WOW Trail has been a fabulous addition to the city, and our customers have really appreciated having this amenity so close to our inn,” said Dupont. “We’re excited with the plans for the Opechee Loop and happy to help make this promenade section happen.”  

Everett said, “The city really got behind this one. I was very pleased with that.”

Work began in early March to backfill the slope on the parking lot side of the sidewalk across from 51 Elm St. to make it level with the street. 

Instead of widening the existing sidewalk for the Opechee Loop between Doris Ray Court and the WOW Trail terminus, as originally planned, trail users heading to or from the neighborhoods of Lakeport will be able to exit or enter the trail at Doris Ray Court and travel along a new 10-foot paved path that will connect directly to the WOW Trail. 

“The trail will be a lot safer this way,” Everett said, noting that cyclists won’t have to ride by the post at the end of the trail and negotiate the curb and narrow sidewalk alongside heavy traffic.

He added that there will be a new pedestrian crossing near the entrance to Doris Ray Court, where the sidewalk was widened last fall, for a safe crossing to businesses across Elm Street.

“The focus is the continued beautification of Lakeport,” Everett said. “Clearly, this is another huge step towards that goal. I’m on a mission to make Lakeport great.”

The enhancement Everett is creating will be known as the promenade, and it will feature sitting benches to relax and enjoy the view of Lake Opechee, with ample space to gather, and a gazebo-like structure that will offer protection from the sun and rain may also be added.

“We want to make it a beautiful and functional space,” Everett added.

The WOW Trail has committed up to $100,000 towards the promenade.  

“We believe the promenade section will be a beautiful upgrade to our original plans of widening the sidewalk at this section,” said Allan Beetle, president of the WOW Trail.  “We are also planning to sell personalized, engraved bricks and benches once the hardscape and landscape improvements are finalized to help fund this exciting project. It will be a great opportunity for the community to join in support of it.”  

Everett is also planning a fundraiser at the Opera House to help defray the cost of construction.  

Lakeport and downtown Laconia are currently linked by the WOW Trail, providing non-motorized options for residents and visitors to safely travel between these two growing business and cultural centers of Laconia.

The proposed Opechee Loop will include a mix of on-street enhancements, bike lanes and improved/widened sidewalks, Beetle said. 

“We are currently working with the city, the state and the Laconia Village developers of the former state school property for the best route to connect through the development and into Ahern Park,” he added. “The Opechee Loop is designed to enhance safe pedestrian and bicycle connections from our residential neighborhoods to our business and arts districts, schools, beaches and parks.”

While the current WOW Trail/Winnisquam Scenic Trail in Laconia/Belmont is 4.25 miles, the Opechee Loop would expand the combined trails to nearly 10-miles of recreation for residents and visitors alike, including walkers, runners, bicyclists and inline skaters.

The entire Opechee Loop project is expected to exceed $1 million dollars, and the city and the WOW Trail Committee will continue to look for opportunities to reduce costs where possible by combining construction of sidewalk improvements with other necessary roadway repairs, similar to the recent Elm Street bridge maintenance project, which widened a section of sidewalk along Elm Street.

The city currently has been approved for a federal Transportation Alternatives Program grant, off-setting the cost of street repairs and sidewalk improvement from Franklin Street to the Elm Street School, work which is planned for 2028 or 2029.

Future sections of the Opechee Loop expansion will be planned by the city, with the WOW Trail collaborating with engineering planning and funding, including spearheading various grant sources and community fundraising.  

For more information, including a proposed map of the Opechee Loop, visit wowtrail.org.

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