CARIBOU, Maine — A land transfer that took place late last year will likely result in a new recreation spot on Main Street in Caribou.
City officials agreed last October to exchange a 0.23 acre parcel of city land on Washburn street for a 0.4 acre parcel of land on North Main Street owned by S.W. Collins. Caribou also received a $15,400 check from S.W. Collins to make up for the difference in land value.
Since then, Parks and Recreation Superintendent Gary Marquis has been working to make his vision of a new recreation spot in Caribou a reality.
Marquis met with Tim Roix of BR Smith Associates on May 10 to discuss what needs to be done to the land in order to transform it into a suitable area for the public. Plans include building a 12-foot-by-16-foot handicap-accessible deck with railings that overlooks Caribou Stream, clearing up brush, and addressing erosion issues.
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- A little under half an acre of land near Main Street in Caribou has huge potential, according to Parks and Recreation Superintendent Gary Marquis, who plans on cleaning up the lot and turning it into an outdoor gathering spot with an observation deck, picnic tables, and a walking trail that would provide access to Caribou Stream for kayaking and fishing. (Christopher Bouchard)
The superintendent met with councilors on Aug. 14 to discuss recent developments and plans for the project.
“I want to remove some trees, and the erosion issues near the brook could be remedied somewhat easily,” Marquis said. “We do not take advantage of our water at all, and there’s a great location here to put a nice overlook deck to allow for fishing and better access to the water’s edge.”
Marquis said money transferred to the Parks and Rec reserve account from last year’s land swap could be applied toward the project, and he asked councilors for permission to seek bids from local contractors to do the work.
Mayor Gary Aiken asked about the projected costs associated with the project.
“There are none yet, but now that I have a set of plans, I’d like to see what we get from local contractors,” Marquis said, “and see what we get for upgrading the parking lot.”
Marquis said he would like the project to primarily consist of natural additions, but that the city would be required to pave one handicap spot.
After councilors approved having Marquis seek bids for the work, Councilor David Martin asked how far up the stream the new walking trail would reach.
“It will be 300 feet to the head wall of the dam,” Marquis said. It will be a very primitive walking trail through the rocks,” adding that there are “no issues with erosion” along the projected trail area.
