Tag Archives: Distant Hill

Distant Hill Gardens Participating in NH Gives – June 9th and 10th

Distant Hill Gardens & Nature Trail is taking part in NH Gives, New Hampshire’s statewide 24-hour online fundraising event, running from 5pm on June 9 through 5pm on June 10.

This year’s fundraiser will support the organization’s growing Trail Accessibility Program, which features the TerrainHopper, an all-terrain mobility vehicle that enables people with mobility disabilities and limitations to access more of Distant Hill’s trail system.

The impact of the program is already being felt. Recently, TerrainHopper rider David Hudgik was able to visit Distant Hill’s “Lost Acre” trail for the first time, a section of the property he had hoped to explore for five years. Other riders have let us know that the TerrainHopper allowed them to enjoy a comfortable and restorative visit to the forest for the first time in years! 

Funds raised during NH Gives will help maintain and expand accessibility efforts, including making additional trail sections TerrainHopper-accessible, continuing trail maintenance, and purchasing additional accessible TerrainHopper accessories to serve a wider range of visitors.

In addition to donation totals, NH Gives awards prizes based on community participation. One of the event’s largest incentives, the “Power of Many” prize, awards $5,000 to the organization that receives the greatest number of individual donors. Because each unique donor counts toward that total, even a small gift can make a significant difference.

Supporters can help by making a donation, encouraging friends and family to participate, sharing information about the fundraiser, and ensuring that each donor uses their own email address when contributing.

Organizers hope the fundraiser will strengthen efforts to provide accessible trails, inclusive programs, and meaningful opportunities for people of all abilities to experience nature.

To learn more or make a donation during NH Gives, visit: https://www.nhgives.org/organization/distanthill

Explore Distant Hill with Our New Terrain Hopper

Distant Hill regular David Hudgik explores parts of the property newly made accessible with our TerrainHopper.

Distant Hill is excited to offer the TerrainHopper all-terrain mobility vehicle to individuals with mobility limitations, with free reservations available from May to October. Contact Hannah Silverblank, Trail Accessibility Program Coordinator, to discuss and schedule your ride: hannah@distanthill.org.

The TerrainHopper allows individuals with mobility limitations and disabilities to explore most of our trail network and gardens, and to enjoy the natural beauty of Distant Hill. It is designed to navigate rugged terrain, including forest trails, roots, rocks, and hills, providing access to areas that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to reach with standard mobility devices.

If you’ve been wanting to spend time immersed in nature at Distant Hill or join one of our workshops, we warmly invite you to reserve the TerrainHopper and experience nature and the outdoors from a new perspective.

Flexible, Accessible Controls

The TerrainHopper offers several control options to meet different mobility needs, making it easier for more visitors to enjoy the trails:

  • Handlebar steering
  • Joystick control
  • Assisted joystick operation, where a companion or volunteer helps guide the vehicle using a tethered joystick

Support from Our Team

Our trained staff and volunteers are available to help ensure a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience. They can assist with:

  • Getting familiar with the controls and operation
  • Driving the TerrainHopper for the rider, using the tethered joystick
  • Navigating the trail network
  • Guiding caregivers and support workers in making safe transfers into and out of the TerrainHopper, if needed

How YOU Can Support Our Trail Accessibility Program

We’re excited to launch our one and only annual fundraiser: NH Gives, a 24-hour statewide giving event!

The event runs from 5:00 PM on June 9 through 5:00 PM on June 10. Mark your calendars and save our fundraising page (https://www.nhgives.org/organization/distanthill) so you’re ready to support our TerrainHopper & Trail Accessibility Programs.

Every gift helps us expand access to the outdoors and grow opportunities for people of all abilities to experience the trails we love. Thank you for being part of our mission!

Reserve Your Ride

Interested in exploring the trails with the TerrainHopper? Contact Hannah (hannah@distanthill.org) to set up your ride!

Reminder: Teddy Bear Parade – 7/19/25

Join us for the annual teddy bear parade. July 19 at 10:00 am at Distant Hill Nature Trail. Bring your favorite stuffed animal and a wagon or stroller if you have one. We will provide some wagons, decorations, bubbles, and kazoos.

‘Mushroom Art’ for Kids at Distant Hill – 7/12/25

From Michael Nerrie:

There is a free ‘Mushroom Art’ event for kids happening this Saturday, July 12, from 10 to 11:30 am at the pavilion at Distant Hill Nature Trail. 

Melany Kahn, author of the wonderful children’s book, ‘Mason Goes Mushrooming’, will be reading her book to the kids, followed by an interactive Q&A session and hands-on mushroom art projects.

She will have a selection of wild and cultivated mushrooms available for the kiddos to learn to identify. They will be able to touch, smell, and observe the mushrooms up close, then use them as still-life models for their own illustrations and artwork with watercolors.

There will also be a clay art session where the children can shape and paint their own clay mushroom to take home.

Click this link to Register Now

Teddy Bear Parade – 7/19/25

Join us for the annual teddy bear parade. July 19, 2025 at 10:00 am and Distant Hill Nature Trail. Bring your favorite stuffed animal and a wagon or stroller if you have one. We will provide some wagons, decorations, bubbles, and kazoos.

Fern and Wildlife Walk at Distant Hill – 10/12/24

From the Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail e-newsletter:

Join us at The Distant Hill Pavilion on Saturday, October 12, 2024 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. for a fascinating tour of Distant Hill Gardens and Nature Trail led by Michael Nerrie of Distant Hill and Jaime McGuigan, an Antioch University graduate student. Discover the world of ferns and local wildlife on the accessible nature trail. Michael will introduce you to some of the diverse species of ferns on the property, while Jaime will share insights and videos from her Master’s Project using 14 game cameras set up on Distant Hill’s 155 acres to monitor the wildlife that call Distant Hill home.

This event is free, but registration is required: Register Here (Maximum # of participants is 30)