The event mentioned in this article, from the Conway Daily Sun, occurred last week. We are reprinting it in honor of volunteers Jacob and Tim. 

Ossipee—October 13, 2025—Winding its way through woods and wetlands to a picturesque view of Ossipee Lake, the newly restored Deer Run accessible boardwalk in Ossipee’s Constitution Park will have its official opening at 11 a.m. on Saturday at the trailhead in the lower parking area off Conservation Trail Road.

The trail is the latest accomplishment by the non-profit organization Friends of Constitution Park Ossipee founded by town resident Edwina Boose.

During the ceremony, the viewing platform that overlooks Ossipee Lake at the end of the trail will be dedicated to Jacob McConkey, who tragically died as the result of a car collision into his motorcycle in 2024. Jacob had volunteered his expertise to the Friends to help secure a shoreline permit for the project. Boose recalled the day Jacob was to meet her in the park to search for property markers.

“When I turned on my computer that morning, Jacob had already been to the park and found our property markers. He emailed me to explain how to map out the footage to determine the grid from the markers to where the platform would be,” Boose said. Boose’s team of volunteers then bushwhacked along the shoreline and marked twenty grids and reported back to McConkey. “Within two hours, Jacob had drawn the shoreline map with all the official information on it, which I never could have done,” Boose recalled.

Boose said the tragic loss of Jacob’s life has continued to have a profound effect on the community. “Jacob deeply loved Ossipee Lake, his family and his community. FCPO would like all to know that his efforts have not gone unnoticed and are forever appreciated. We will be dedicating the newly constructed viewing platform in his memory,” she said.

Jacob’s father, state Sen. Mark McConkey (R-Freedom) echoed Boose’s sentiments about his son in the following statement: “Jacob was a kind soul, Alexis was the love of his life and raising their three children together in a loving environment was all that he wished for. Giving back to his community was also a hallmark of his composition. Jake willingly donated his time volunteering for many local organizations but the two that stand out right now are the Friends of Constitution Park and the Ossipee Main Street program.”

“Our family and friends are so pleased that the Friends of Constitution Park chose to honor Jacob’s memory in this special way. I hope that passersby that happen upon this bench, will reflect on the magnificent view before them, read the inscription on the placard, and choose to make a difference tomorrow by also volunteering in their community.”

In 2021, Boose and her volunteers began asking town officials for permission to improve the park. Since that time, the park has become a vibrant space for the community to enjoy a range of recreational and educational opportunities including a dog park, nature trails, disc golf, a playground, ballfields, tennis and pickleball courts, and a picnic pavilion.

At that time, the organization also established a trail mission statement focused on the restoration of the All-Persons Accessible Trail, and the Nature Interpretive Trail as part of its more comprehensive efforts to improve the two-mile system of trails located within the park. Parks and Recreation Director Justin Chaffee described the trail as long overdue for repairs.

“The boardwalk hadn’t been replaced in close to twenty-five years. The pine pilings that held the boardwalk up were shifting and sagging with gaps between the boards. It was becoming unsafe,” he said. According to Chaffee, the Deer Run Trail and viewing area are located on the only town-owned land with public access to the lake.

The organization raised $207,500 over a two-year campaign period for the project. Of that amount, $82,500 came from private grants including: $30,000 from the NH Charitable Foundation; $25,000 from the NH Charitable Foundation John Vance Access Fund; $15,000 from the Davis Conservation Fund; $5,000 each from the NH Charitable Foundation NH Gives Challenge Grant and the Athletic Brewing Co.; and $2,500 from the NH Community Development Finance Authority. In addition, $75,000 came from the Town of Ossipee and $50,000 was raised in local fundraisers. According to Boose, no funding from state or federal grants was needed.

Last July, the Ossipee Public Works Dept. removed the decaying boardwalk. Hermit Woods Trailbuilders, LLC of Vermont, a dry-stone masonry and trail design and construction company, was hired to build the boardwalk as the first phase of the project. When the availability of additional funds became clear, the company was able to complete the viewing deck at the same time. According to Hermit Woods founder and owner, Sam Brakeley, the project took approximately six weeks between August and September to complete.

Ossipee selectmen’s chair Jonathan Smith recognized the reconstruction of the Deer Run Trail as an asset to the residents of Ossipee.

“I am incredibly proud of the community effort to improve Constitution Park. Edwina’s vision was supported by her tenacity and persistence to accomplish the mission. This park will be a gathering spot for current and future generations to come, he said. “I want to thank all the volunteers for their countless hours and effort, and the Ossipee Highway Department for everything they have done to support this project. Job well done by all,” Smith concluded.

A final and sobering end to the completion of the boardwalk project came only a few weeks ago. On Sept. 30, volunteer and architect Tim Otterbach died unexpectedly from continuing health struggles.

Tim was probably our No. 1 volunteer in giving his time, energy and expertise to us from the very beginning. Tim designed and built our kiosks, was head contractor for the pavilion, designed and built the large park sign that is on Rt. 25, and designed and drew the conceptual sketch for the platform/viewing area at the shoreline of the Deer Run Trail,” Boose said.

“Tim was building our newest kiosk that will be installed at the trailhead of the renovated Deer Run Trail and was looking forward to spending quiet moments there. Tim had become a personal friend, and I am devastated that we have lost him,” she said.

A photo of Otterbach superimposed against the backdrop of the lake was made into a sign that will be on the kiosk at the trailhead of Deer Run, with a quote from Otterbach, which reads: “I took a walk to the new viewing platform near the lakeside. It’s going to be a great spot to rest, view the lake and mountains, and provide a great location for some quiet reflection and a brief escape from the realities of the world.”