Now that winter finally seems to be behind us and spring and summer are ahead, why not take your team out for a picnic? A company picnic is a great opportunity to:
- Get outside
- Enjoy nature
- Eat good food
- Boost morale
- Strengthen communication
- Develop connections
- And share important company news
Most of all, though, company picnics are a great way to have fun!
These outings can be scaled according to the size of your organization. If you have a large company with multiple departments, you may want hired entertainment and activities like soccer games or sack races. For smaller companies, a woodland walk or hike might be the perfect way to engage (and walk off those cupcakes Julie made!)
However you choose to have your company picnic, you can’t deny that we live in an amazing area for it. Whether you’re in the Monadnock Region of New Hampshire, the Brattleboro area of Vermont, or near beautiful Greenfield, Massachusetts, the five destinations we’re about to share are picnic perfection.
Fort Dummer State Park, Brattleboro, VT
Named for the first European settlement in the state, Fort Dummer State Park in Brattleboro, Vermont is filled with the kind of nature that makes Vermont famous. Oaks, birches, maple, and pine trees create a welcoming canopy that will keep you cool on a warm spring or summer day.
There are multiple spots to picnic. The small-use field is great for parties—a fantastic spot for a friendly game of interdepartmental soccer or just lounging in the sun and chatting.
For a more intimate and scenic destination, the Sunrise Trail is laced with several picnic tables. From the tables, you can see outwards into the rolling green hills and down towards the site where the original fort stood. (Interesting Tidbit: The fort stood until 1908 when it was lost to flooding from the Connecticut River.) The Sunrise Trail is a short, one-mile loop, making it easy for a small crew armed with lightweight coolers to traverse. And the reward is a great view!
Poet’s Seat Tower/Rocky Mountain Park, Greenfield, MA
Famous as a place for peaceful reflection, Poet’s Seat Tower is the highest point in Greenfield, Massachusetts. Both the summit it stands on and the tower itself offer stunning views. You can see the land that stretches westward into the Berkshires and northward into Vermont and New Hampshire.
Part of Rocky Mountain Park, Poet’s Seat is a fantastic spot for a scenic, low-key company picnic. It’s also easily accessible via roadway and has several stone benches that make a great place to sit and soak in the views.
If you’re looking for a little more space for activities, the attached Rocky Mountain Park has trails that can be hiked with ease. While Poet’s Seat and Rocky Mountain Park are great for smaller crews, larger parties might want to check out the closeby Highland Park. It offers more fields, as well as access to beaches along the Connecticut River.
Rhododendron State Park, Fitzwilliam, NH
As New Hampshire’s only botanical garden, Rhododendron State Park is considered something of a hidden gem. Tucked into the quaint little town of Fitzwilliam, the park is easily accessible at only 20 minutes south of Keene, 40 minutes east of Brattleboro, and 50 minutes north of Greenfield.
Famous for its 16-acre rhododendron grove, the park offers a unique experience you’re not likely to find anywhere else in the area. A simple, half-mile loop trail has been cut into the grove. But if you visit mid-July, you’ll be surrounded by blooms on all sides. This park can feel downright magical.
A decent sized picnic area is located at the entrance with access to toilets and handwashing stations. You can play field games in the area, or take a peek at the Old Patch Place. It’s an 18th-century homestead cottage built by an early resident of the town. A quick loop around the rhododendron grove or the wildflower trail maintained by the Fitzwilliam Garden Club will have you returning throughout the season.
Otter Brook State Park, Keene, NH
If you’re looking for a beachside picnic, Otter Brook State Park in Keene is the place for you. With plenty of space to stretch out across the grass and sand, Otter Brook is perfect for large gatherings. Challenge your coworkers to a friendly game of beach volleyball, or take a dip in the local lake. The park offers 90 picnic tables and 55 charcoal grills, so the chefs in your crew can have an absolute blast cooking up some burgers and dogs.
It’s conveniently located just off of Route 9 on the border of Keene and Roxbury. And the park is maintained fantastically by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Another benefit of the park is that it comes with three shelter structures named Pine, Elm, and Alder that are available to rent.
Pine Shelter is the largest, accommodating up to 100 people and comes with access to electricity. So if your picnic day is a little overcast and rainy, you can still have an awesome time!
Miller State Park, Peterborough, NH
Miller State Park is the oldest state park in New Hampshire. It offers some of the best views in the entire region. Take advantage of the access road that gets you to the 2,290 foot summit of Pack Monadnock. On your company picnic, you will have tremendous, unimpeded views of the surrounding peaks. They include Grand Monadnock, Mount Washington, Mount Watatic, and even the skyscrapers of Boston on a clear day.
Though the summit can be a bit windy depending on the day, a picnic with these views is not going to have any of your team complaining. Large groups can also rent the pavilions at the base. This is beneficial, as you never know if the New England weather might turn against you.
When you’re part of a company, it becomes a community. You make connections and friends that could end up lasting a lifetime. At Masiello Employment Services, we like to think that we’re not just connecting people with jobs. We’re connecting them with a new community.
Feel like you need to make a change and longing for a company to plant yourself in and call home? Give us a call at 603 358 1000 or visit masemp.com to schedule an appointment today. We can’t wait to meet you!
