PRESQUE ISLE — Positive change is happening in Presque Isle. And particularly at the site known as Peace Park. For some time, the Presque Isle Recreation Department has been involved in plans to revitalize that area. Now plans are underway to expand the site into a dog park, provide updated equipment for the children’s playground among a number of other new amenities.
On Saturday, June 15 from 9 a.m. to noon an official project and capital campaign kickoff will take place at the Sargent Community Center in Presque Isle. It will be a community fun day for families with children and dog owners alike.
The effort to bring this project into fruition is spearheaded by a collaboration of community leaders and The City of Presque Isle. “This has been an “overlooked” public property and park. Although the city has a fantastic playground for children at the Riverside/Sargent Center site which has shown tremendous use by the community, there isn’t any play area close to the Peace Park. There has been growing interest expressed by the community for adding a dog park to the city’s recreation facilities,” says Lucy Richard, one of the committee members on the Peace Park Project Committee.
The project will take place in three phases. Some of the new added features include: a dedicated parking lot area inside the park to avoid street parking, fencing for the dog park, an entrance that has a secure area to unleash and leash dogs to avoid escape. There will also be a multifunctional waterline to the center of the park, for both people and dogs for drinking, bottle filling and dog bowl filler. There are new changes to the basketball court including new backboards, hoops, and a new paint job. Playground equipment will be several new pieces. There will be new picnic tables, benches, trash cans, and dog waste dispenser stations. We will also have some pieces for fitness equipment for adults. There will be two sets of play equipment for dogs one for small dogs and one for large dogs.
Phase 2 of the project will encompass the installation of several light fixtures, a security camera system and additional fencing along Parsons Street. and enhancement of underground soil filter areas. Phase 3 will include the construction and completion of a walking path (.2 miles at 8 feet wide), five additional light fixtures, lighting of the Basketball court (four lights), mini-pitch court (multi-use court), restrooms with waste holding tank or connection to municipality sewer system, asphalt for parking area.
This updated park project will have special significance in memory of a special Presque Isle resident. Erica Hemphill passed away from an undiagnosed health problem. Since Hemphill’s passing the dog park has been in the forefront of making this a space that would be in her remembrance. It is a tribute to the extended community service she was always involved in and her love of dogs. We are sure that this would be a project that she would have worked hard to see come to reality.
Phase 1 has begun with the construction of the parking lot. The fencing for the two dog sections is installed, and the water line had been extended into the park. In addition, there has been some ground work, grass seeding and fertilization of the area completed. The basketball court has been resurfaced. To date, funding spent on part of a Phase One is $115,500. To complete Phase 1, an additional $175,000 more is needed. An additional $750,000 will be fundraised to complete all aspects of this project.
But the cost is a worthwhile investment in infrastructure, economic development & community growth. Richard says, “Presque Isle is very fortunate in the many recreational facilities we have. The Sargent Community Center offers many activities for young and old year-round. The playground and splash pad at Riverside is a tremendous attraction. The school system not only provides a great education but encourages students to participate in sports and outdoor living. We have expanding air services to and from our city. We are fortunate to have a state park, downhill skiing facility, ice facility, Nordic center with cross country skiing, biking and hiking. We have an extended bike path that entwines throughout our city. These are all attractions that will enhance families to want to move to this community. I feel this is a real plus to also promote businesses to come to Presque Isle.”
She went onto say, “Expanding air services to our city, the Peace Park will be the first city amenity everyone will see. I feel the addition of the playground and dog park is another plus to also promote businesses and families to come to Presque Isle.”
The June 15th Community, Family and Dog Fun Day will feature a number of activities. These are the confirmed activities and guests: doggie costume contest, community dog walk, agility and dog obedience classes, discussion about dog park etiquette, vendor booths (local businesses, dog centered care, and organizations have been invited to participate), dog photo booth, face painting, touch-a-truck, bounce houses and food and refreshments.
There have been several entities that have already helped in getting the project up & running. They include: Presque Isle Recreation Department, Presque Isle Industrial Council, Presque Isle Utilities Department, Maine National Guard (who created the parking lot), Presque Isle Public Works (for the groundwork to place the water connection to the park center), FW Webb (for the donation of all of the pipe material) and Next Home (for the initiation of the donations specifically for the dog park fencing and for the renderings of the plans)
There will be signage in her remembrance, but the park remains “Peace Park”. Additionally, there will be signage that includes the names of donors/organizations that have donated to the project.
After the official kickoff, the renderings of the finished project will be made public. There will also be brochures available to market the project to area businesses and civic groups as part of the capital campaign. There will also be ways that individuals can contribute financial support to the project. The next step is to fundraise to complete Phase one and work toward the final completion of Phase 3.
For more information about the Peace Park Project contact Gene Cronin, PIRC director, at gcronin@presqueisleme.us.
