BRIDGTON — With the squeaking sound of wood rubbing wood and a couple of cheers, one more element of the Pondicherry Park project settled into place Wednesday.

Several volunteers showed up outside what will be the park’s main entrance on Depot Street to help assemble a post-and-beam information kiosk. Within an hour, the components had been put together to form the framework of a structure.

“I think it’s wonderful,” said Peter Lowell, executive director of the Lakes Environmental Association. “I think everyone will remember how they helped put this up.”

Connie Cross, president of the board of directors for the Loon Echo Land Trust, said Lowell came up with the idea to turn a patch of forest in the center of town into a park some years ago. Since then, the land trust and LEA have cooperated to raise funds for the purchase of land. Sixty acres of the 66-acre parcel were purchased, with a purchase agreement scheduled to acquire the remaining land by March.

Several trails have also been established in the park for hiking, snowshoeing, and nature walks. Smaller kiosks have been placed at the park’s current entrances on South High Street and Willett Road.

The kiosks were designed by Andy Buck, who was first recruited to design a memorial bridge dedicated to preservation craftsman and environmental advocate Bob Dunning, who died in 2007.

“It really started with the bridge,” Cross said. “That was pretty well received, so I decided the other structures should have a similar design.”

Buck made all of the component pieces for the 12- by 12-foot kiosk, and local artisan Greg Marston carved a set of pine cones beneath the curving roof. A foundation had been poured prior to the assembly. Lowell requested that nine people show up to assemble the structure, but about twice as many arrived to help hold up the beams and supports to receive the roof frame as it was put down by a crane.

“I had no idea so many people were going to turn up,” Cross said. “It’s a real tribute to the project.”

A roof will be constructed over the frame, and a 4-by-4 foot column containing information on the park will be placed in the middle of the kiosk. Some granite benches will also be installed.

There is still work to be done on the park as well. The organizations are raising funds and making preparations to start building the 60-foot Bob Dunning Memorial Bridge, which will take visitors over a creek and into the park from the Depot Street entrance. Another bridge will access the Stevens Brook Elementary School and allow students to use the park for outdoor educational uses.

The park is scheduled for completion in 2010, at which point it will be given to the town.

mlangeveld@sunjournal.com

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