Next phase of riverfront development underway

    HOULTON — The Riverfront Committee is gearing up for yet another exciting season of development at Riverfront Park.  Last year’s efforts saw the induction of educational story boards around the park and on Gateway Bridge; signage at the park entrance; picnic tables; and a kiosk to display community information.  Landscaping and beautification work also continued with the addition of natural rocks. The rocks were featured in the Riverfront Committee’s successful “Guess the Weight of our Rock” contest. The contest was won by local John Benn who donated his winnings to the continuation of the Riverfront Park Project.
    This year’s plans are already in full swing with tree plantings, the placement of trash receptacles and, according to Riverfront Committee Chairperson Bob Anderson, there’s much more to come.
    “At the moment our main focus is on construction of a stairway which will run from the walking trail to Highland Avenue,” Anderson explained. “This is going to be a huge undertaking and construction is ready to begin.”
    Anderson stated that materials and landscaping for the stairway project is estimated to cost about $20,000.
    “Right now we have about $5,000 on hand for the stairway project,” Anderson commented, “and our goal is to raise another $50,000, which will allow us to complete the stairway and move forward with other pieces of the project.”
    The “other pieces” Anderson was speaking of are the installation of lights along the walking trail, paving of the walking trail, landscaping around the picnic area, and the addition of 10 more storyboards.
    Anderson added that the Riverfront Committee plans to raise the funds needed to complete the projects through the continued sale of brick pavers, which line the walkways near Gateway Bridge, the sale of steps and landings on the new stairway, and from the generosity of donors, sponsors, and grants.
    To make a donation or to inquire about the Riverfront Project, contact Andrea Newman at Vital Pathways at 532-3071 or via e-mail vital.pathways@yahoo.com; Chelsea Wilson at FA Peabody at 532-2291, via e-mail chelsea.wilson@fapeabody.com, or the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce at 532-4216 or e-mail them at chamber@greaterhoulton.com. All monetary donations are received through Vital Pathways, the project sponsor, a 501c(3) non-profit corporation.