Eastman Community Begins Its Sixth Decade

by JG Walker

In the early 1900s, logging was big business in central New Hampshire around Eastman Pond. Many old-growth maple and birch trees were cut down, but major harvesting operations ended in 1925. Then, for nearly 45 years, the land was left undisturbed, and the woodlands regenerated to their former glory.

When the owners of the 2,500-acre parcel decided to sell the land in 1969, the non-profit Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests stepped in. Partnering with nearby Dartmouth College and a pair of local financial institutions, the group bought the property and created the Controlled Environment Corporation (CEC) to protect the land from future logging or irresponsible development.

Over the years, adjacent parcels were acquired that expanded the property to its current 3,600 acres. But the CEC’s stated mission remained the same: to minimize impact on the natural environment while creating a low-density recreational community offering “a variety of activities with continuing appeal to people of a broad socio-economic spectrum.”

The Formation of Eastman Lake

The first task was enlarging the community’s namesake and principal amenity. A bigger dam was built, and the pond more than doubled in size to become the 335-acre Eastman Lake. At the same time, work began on a second amenity after architect Geoffrey Cornish was hired to design a golf course in the fields and meadows south of the lake. The first nine holes of Eastman Golf Links opened in 1972, with a second nine added in 1976. New roads were also built, and the first five miles of cross-country ski trails were opened.

As other communities struggled in the late 1970s, Eastman kept growing. By 1981, 95 percent of the community’s single-family homesites had been sold, and the first condominiums were built. The seasonal character of the Eastman community began to change as more of those buyers became “permies”—permanent year-round residents with a lifestyle that took full advantage of the area’s delightfully distinctive seasons.

Those early property owners formed the Eastman Community Association (ECA) and began to play an increasingly active role. By the early 1990s, the ECA had taken over the community’s common areas, including 55 miles of roads, and established a capital reserve fund. Since the 1999 election of the Eastman Board of Directors, the property owners have been in control.

Amenities for Every Season

Today, Eastman community is comprised of 1,000 homes, 335 condos, and a unique collection of active-lifestyle amenities. The Center at Eastman, totally renovated in 2016, features the popular Forbes Tavern for casual dining and hosts a pro shop for golfers in the warmer months and skiers when the snow begins to fall. For racquet-sports enthusiasts, eight Har-Tru tennis courts and four pickleball courts were newly reconstructed in 2022. The South Cove Activity Center opened in 2009 and is home to an indoor pool for year-round swimming, a complete fitness facility, and multi-function rooms for community clubs and events.

The crystal-clear waters of Eastman Lake can be enjoyed in every season, from playing on six sandy beaches and kayaking, canoeing, and sailing in the summer months to ice fishing and skating when the surface freezes over. There are also more than 20 miles of cross-country skiing trails and 24 miles of snowshoe trails that transform into hiking paths around the lake and through the forests in spring through autumn. A single annual fee gives residents access to all amenities, including the golf practice facilities.

Eastman Golf Links has a separate membership program with modest fees for play on one of the region’s best courses, a popular host for amateur tournaments and annual fundraising events. Completely refurbished in 2006 and carefully maintained, the club earned Audubon International Cooperative Sanctuary status for its environmental stewardship.

George Sutherland, an Eastman resident since 1994, has served as ECA Board President among other volunteer positions. “Whether it’s swimming, boating, relaxing on the beach, or playing a round of golf or a good tennis match,” he says, “the chance to enjoy being outdoors is a treasure for all of us at Eastman.”

“The Secret Sauce”

To say that Eastman is a tight-knit community is an understatement. Along with the professional staff, the entire operation is run by residents who volunteer their time to monitor water quality in the lake, tend the community gardens, keep the trails open year-round, and generally ensure that the bottom line of conservation plus recreation is always met. That creates a togetherness that comes naturally.

“We knew before moving here that Eastman was in a beautiful setting and had great amenities,” says ECA Board President Bill Matson. “What we didn’t know is that we’d quickly establish so many lasting friendships. Our neighbors are the secret sauce that make this such a great place to live.”

“I love Eastman for its sense of community above all else,” says Board member and secondgeneration owner Lynn Kisselbach. “It’s a wellrun community with lots to do, but the people here really make it special.”

And while many of the original “permies” at Eastman were retirees, Lorie McClory has seen a significant change during her 27 years as a resident. “When we first moved to Eastman in 1995 with two toddlers, there were few full-time families here,” she says. “Since then, Eastman has truly become an intergenerational community with programs and events for all ages. Two of the best are the Youth Conservation Corps and an ongoing boat-building project that unites adult mentors with youths ages 12 and older. We’ll have lots more of those collaborations in the future.”

Our neighbors are the secret sauce that make this such a great place to live.

“As Eastman completes its 50th year, the community is in a strong financial position,” says Assistant General Manager and CFO Brian Harding. “The staff, under the direction of our volunteer Board and committees, develops and implements the operating budget and annually reviews and updates the 10-year capital plan. Eastman is in good shape for our next 50 years.”