CARIBOU, Maine — The city has the potential to establish a new recreation spot on Main Street that would provide access to Caribou Stream for whitewater kayaking, fishing, and other activities, according to Parks and Recreation Superintendent Gary Marquis.
The 0.4 acre parcel of land, previously owned by S.W. Collins, was exchanged for a .23 acre parcel on Washburn Street that will allow the hardware store to expand. While Caribou is receiving almost twice the land in exchange, the Main Street parcel has higher value and the city received a $15,400 check for the difference after councilors authorized the transfer on Oct. 11, 2016.
Marquis sees a great deal of potential with the newly obtained parcel and recently spoke to an architect about clearing out some brush, creating a trail, and building an observation deck to overlook the Caribou Stream.
City councilors, during a May 8 meeting, ultimately voted to approve the architect consultation, but indicated they would not fully approve the project until Marquis presents its cost.
Marquis said he met on May 10 with Tim Roix of BR Smith Associates, a Presque Isle firm that offers land surveying, civil engineering, structural design, architectural design, MDEP permitting services, and construction management.
“He took some preliminary shots of the land and, he’s going back to figure out the cost,” said Marquis, who is confident the project can be completed this year. “Once I get the estimate, I’ll present it to the council and we’ll go from there. I’ll be using all local contractors in Caribou.”
Marquis said he plans to clear some brush and address some erosion issues. After that, he hopes to have built a 12-foot-by-16-foot handicap-accessible deck with railings, overlooking the stream.
“The deck will be built into the rocks, and that will give people a nice view of the stream, Main Street, and the building with the historic Coca-Cola sign,” Marquis said. “If you look this way (down the river) you don’t even think you’re in town. You just see the stream, which blocks out the sounds of traffic.”
If the council approves the project, Marquis said, “it’s definitely going to happen this year.”
Marquis also expected to create a walking trail to the head of the dam to provide access to the stream. Currently, Marquis said the only way people can access the stream is to paddle against the current in the Aroostook River, which connects to the Caribou Stream.
S.W. Collins, as part of the swap, will move its fence closer to one of its buildings on the lot, giving the city roughly 120 more feet of land for Marquis and his department to create the trail.
“Once that fence is moved, we’ll have better access to the dam and possibly advertise kayaking opportunities,” Marquis said. “The only way to get there now is to walk over the rocks or paddle up the Aroostook River,” adding that the river offers incredible salmon and brook trout fishing.
Marquis said he can envision the new outdoor spot, and added that it would be far more popular than the land the city traded.
“We could have something excellent here that people would use a lot more than the Washburn Road pavilion. I think maybe ten people have been there,” Marquis said. “This is a resource that we’re not using.”
