Too bad city didn’t spruce up park prior to Balloon Fest

To the editor:
    We would like to take this opportunity to publicly extend our thanks and appreciation to all those who donated in one way or another to our “New Vinyl Fence” project at the Trans-Atlantic Balloon Site in Spragueville during the past year.  We certainly were proud to showcase the finished project during “The Crown of Maine Balloon Festival” in August, and enjoyed meeting all those who stopped by.
    Our group has worked hard over the years to help beautify the Balloon Site, by planting flowers, trees, and shrubs and, now, but furnishing a new, attractive fence. All of those projects have been performed with enthusiasm and pride. However, as our group size diminishes, due to aging and various health issues, it is becoming more and more difficult to accomplish these projects; we do the best we can under the circumstances, and will try to continue doing them as long as possible.
    On a disappointing note – The balloon site is owned by the city of Presque Isle, and it is responsible for its maintenance. We had hoped and expected that those responsible would have taken a tour of the area prior to this year’s 30th Anniversary of the Trans-Atlantic Balloon lift-off, to see just what needed to be done to spruce things up for the celebration. Apparently, no one did go take a look, as the sign directing sightseers to the site (at the corner of State Park Rd. and Spragueville Rd.), needed to be straightened/stabilized; the four benches at the site were in dire need of paint; bricks were crumbling at the base of the monument; and lettering (balloonists’ names and dates) on the gondola was partly worn off. We were concerned of what impression these conditions left on those who visited the site, not only during the Festival but, also, during the entire tourist season.
    We realize it’s probably too late in the season to actively improve these conditions this year; however, perhaps in the spring, some groups or organizations could check things out and see how they might fit one of these needs of improvement into their community service programs – Scouting groups?, High School Honor Society?, Church Youth Group?, Civic Groups?, College students?, sheet metal personnel/students?, etc. This truly is an historic area, and PI should be proud to show it off! Hopefully, the upcoming Sesquicentennial Celebration in 2009 will be a great incentive for someone to help out; our members will do our best to continue to do our part.
    Again, many thanks to all for the support received to make our “New Vinyl Fence” project such a success!