RUMFORD – Walkers, nature lovers and others who like the great outdoors may have a new spot to enjoy the scenic views of the Androscoggin River in the fall, thanks to a grant from the National Park Service.
Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins announced Thursday that $50,000 has been granted to the River Front Park project, planned for a section along the riverbank from Morse Bridge to Memorial Bridge.
The funding comes from the Land and Water Conservation Fund of the National Park Service.
Town Manager Steve Eldridge said Friday that the grant must be evenly matched by the town. Instead of $50,000 cash, the town may supply $50,000 of in-kind labor from the Public Works Department.
“This will get us started,” he said of the grant. “We’re waiting for the plans to be finished.”
Terrance DeWan Associates of Yarmouth and Main-Land Development of Livermore Falls have been working with the town and the ad hoc River Front Park Committee for several years, ever since a small grant by a local civic organization got the project started.
Planned is a trail along the library side of the river from Morse Bridge to Memorial Bridge. Along the trail will be benches, natural “landings” and a picnic area. Portions of the trail will be handicapped accessible.
The town’s Public Works Department will begin clearing vegetation and trimming trees in the spring. Eldridge said the town must also secure the proper conservation and shoreland permits.
The approximately one-third-mile trail is Phase I of a long-term three-phase project. During Phase II, an extension of the trail under Memorial Bridge to the so-called snow dump along Rumford Avenue is planned.
Eventually, hopes are that the trail would hook up with the Hosmer Field complex on Lincoln Avenue.
Eldridge said the town is going for additional grants to complete the trail system.
Also being considered under the authority of the Downtown Revitalization Committee is an oblong loop from Memorial Bridge to River Street and Morency Park, then to Morse Bridge. Additional sidewalks must be constructed to reach that goal.
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