LIMESTONE, Maine — Residents and organizations in Limestone are coming together to revitalize and transform Albert Michaud Park into a place for not just area youth, but for people of all ages.
Michelle Albert, head of the Limestone Development Foundation, said the effort was inspired last November at the foundation’s annual meeting and the Limestone Chamber of Commerce when longtime resident Pete Huntress suggested that all of the town’s organizations come together under one collective goal to improve the community.
Albert said Huntress’ comments rang true, as many organizations in the town work hard on different community projects with the goal of improving the town. She soon contacted Limestone Recreation Department Director Doug Sharpe, who at that time had spent about two years on efforts to revitalize the town’s park.
The park was built in 1976 and Albert said most of the equipment in the park today is from the time it was originally built and needs to be replaced soon.
And while Sharpe’s efforts were focused on revitalizing the park as a place for children, Albert suggested completely revamping the park as a place for people of all ages. Sharpe agreed, and in January a group consisting of several town departments, businesses, organizations and local residents began meeting to discuss the project.
With this new project, Sharpe said essentially all the playground equipment would be replaced except for the swing set, caterpillar climber, GaGa Pit, toddler swing, and the large wooden playground structure. The concrete floor in the pavilion is set to be replaced this spring.
“If we do decide to put in a new playground set, splash pad and age-friendly exercise stations, we may not be able to keep all of the existing equipment that is still in good shape due to a lack of space,” he said.
Limestone resident Jo-Ellen Kelley is working with Albert and other community volunteers to write grants to help fund this endeavor.
Kelley said the new park will include a splash pad, adult fitness equipment and a walking path around the playground.
“Although a more expensive project, if civic organizations, community members and businesses all supported the project, having a revitalization that the entire community could use would be the best way to go. The fact that the pavilion, ball field, and tennis courts are all there is an added benefit for providing the additional equipment to get families out of the house and engaged in exercise,” Kelley said.
With these additions, the group’s funding goal is $175,000 for the entire project, but Sharpe has said that the total may change based on new estimates from contractors. Once the committee has solid estimates for every piece of the facility, Albert said it will set a monetary limit.
So far, only $5,000 has been raised, but Albert said some grants are offering up to $100,000 for projects of this nature. She said the town’s designation as an “Age-Friendly Community” will make it eligible for additional grants, as the park will be designed to accommodate elderly residents.
Additionally, the group is brainstorming fundraisers and reaching out to businesses to see if they may be able to provide in-kind work as a donation.
Sharpe said the town had to cancel one fundraiser — a Harlem Rockets Comedy Basketball Show that had the potential to bring in between $5,000 and $10,000 — due to the pandemic.
And while the pandemic will affect physical fundraising events, Albert said the committee itself is regularly meeting via the Zoom app, with its next meeting scheduled for April 23.
Anyone interested in attending the Zoom meetings or learning more about the new park project can contact Albert at ldf@limestonemaine.org or 207-949-3633 or Sharpe at limestonerec@gmail.com or 207-551-1204. The group’s Facebook Page, Albert Michaud Park Revitalization Project, can be messaged for information and also contains updates about the town’s effort.
“At this time we are really going to need the community’s support as most of our funds are going to need to come from grants, private donations and support from local businesses,” Sharpe said.
