CAPE ELIZABETH (AP) – The historic Fort Williams Park that includes the Portland Head Light will remain free to all visitors if residents get their way.
In an advisory referendum, residents voted 3,145 to 1,951 against the idea of charging non-residents to use the park. The Town Council is expected to use the results when deciding whether to impose parking fees on outsiders to help pay for upkeep of the park.
The Town Council rejected the idea of $5 daily parking fee for out-of-town motorists in August and decided to send it to a referendum to gauge public sentiment.
The town has been grappling with the costs of maintaining the 90-acre park. Some of the stone walls are crumbling and the Goddard Mansion has been declared off-limits because of its state of disrepair. Fencing has been erected at the mansion to protect visitors from falling debris.
Some say it’s unfair for town residents to bear the full burden, but critics pointed out that other communities don’t charge for the use of their parks and public spaces.
“The Fort Williams experience is a combination of natural beauty and plenty of open space. I think it ought to be available to people at no fee,” said resident Ray Shevenell.
AP-ES-11-08-06 1034EST
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