SCENIC LOCAL WALKS
Portsmouth, NH

At long last Peirce Island is well-cared for an open to the public. Visible from Prescott Park, the former site of Fort Washington now offers walking trails, picnic areas, scenic views and a boat launch in the historic South End.

Name: Peirce Island
Location: Across from Strawbery Banke parking lot off Marcy Street at the end of the Prescott Park gardens in Portsmouth’s South End
Details: City owned, managed by public board, closed 11pm (June 1 to October 1) and at 7pm the rest of the year.
Resources: Parking, public boat ramp open all times, walking paths, historic markers, rest room on Four Tree Island only, site of public pool in summer with small playground. Picnic area at Four Tree Island with cooking facilities.
Rules: Carry in, carry out. Closed at night. Open at sunrise.
Dogs: Okay on leash, but not in picnic area
Web Site: City of Portsmouth

After taking in a speech at the Tobias Lear house, we wandered past the Point of Graves and across the Peirce Island bridge that looks back over to the Portsmouth South End. It was a cloudy day in the final gasp of summer. The walk takes you past the struggling commercial fishing dock and onto the historic island that juts out into the Piscataqua towards Maine. A small boat owner was taking a last trip. Only a half dozen walkers passed by in an hour while Prescott Park nearby still hummed with activity on a brisk Sunday afternoon.

Locals visit in summer to use the enormous outdoor city pool that is not pictured here. We also didn’t photograph the sewer treatment plant located at the east end of the island where Fort Washington once stood. That area is off limits. Those who haven’t visited the island recently will find neatly groomed walkways that wind through a woodsy area, dotted with well-placed historic markers. Often publicized as a secretive gay meeting site, Peirce Island is now more open, manicured, better managed and a scenic walk for all. Bikes are not allowed on the paths, but dogs are.

A quick walk or jog around the island offers views of the Naval Shipyard, the South End, three Piscataqua bridges and the "back channel" with a small island toward Newcastle. We copied down the pretty dry historic timeline posted and it is reprinted on the second page at the end of this photo gallery. Walk on.

JUMP TO Four Tree Island

Photos by J. Dennis Robinson

CONTINUE WALKING TOUR
of Perice Island