Politics & Government
Thousands Sign Petition To Save Barker Forest In Nashua
Thorndike Development is proposing 44 condos on the 13-acre parcel; aldermen want the city to buy the parcel, make it part of Greeley Park.
NASHUA, NH — An online petition has been started to save Barker Forest from being developed for housing.
The petition, posted on Change.org, requests the city to purchase a 13-acre parcel in the North End of the city to keep it from being developed 44 condominiums. The condos will be two-story, 2,200 square foot units. The developer, Thorndike Development Corporation, has a purchase and sale agreement for the parcel.
Paul Metzger, who started the petition, said the forest is currently surrounded by a city-owned parcel and Greeley Park.
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“There will be one ingress/egress to the development, at the corner of Bartlett and Wellington streets, significantly increasing traffic through the neighborhood,” he said. “Thorndike Corp. has said in a public meeting on 11/17/2021 that if there's significant opposition to their plan, they'll walk away from it.”
As of Monday, 2,190 people out of a goal of 2,500 had signed the petition.
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Nashua Aldermen have issued a resolution calling on the mayor to borrow $2.5 million to purchase the forest for preservation. Some activists are suggesting the forest be folded into the existing park.
Mayor Jim Donchess did not return an email seeking comment about the petition or project.
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