RANGELEY — Rangeley Lake State Park is now more than half a mile larger, with Friday’s addition of 29 acres in the South Bog area, according to a Monday report from the Maine Department of Conservation.

At the request of the department’s Bureau of Parks and Lands, the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust bought the parcel for $595,000 in early 2009 from owners Robert and Janet Welch of Rangeley, Alan Stearns, BPL deputy director, said by e-mail early Monday evening.

The bureau then acquired the land at its appraised value.

The Land for Maine’s Future Program funded the acquisition, which was once surrounded by state park land, and is now part of continuously protected shoreline.

“The state park system is indebted to the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust for making this acquisition possible,” MDOC Commissioner Patrick McGowan said Monday. “We could not have pulled this off without them.”

“Enlisting the partnership and support of private groups such as Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust is an absolutely necessary part of Maine’s conservation strategy during tough budget times,” he added.

The land — including portions of Black Point and South Bog on the shores of Rangeley Lake — includes sensitive wildlife habitat. 

“The parcel is 200 feet from an eagle’s nest in the park which fledged chicks in 2004,” Stearns said.

The new addition also abuts important, protected deer-wintering areas. 

“The successful completion of this exciting conservation acquisition strongly demonstrates the value of public and private partnerships in achieving shared conservation goals,” Nancy Perlson, trust executive director, said on Monday.

The trust “is committed to conservation and community, and the addition of this important parcel supports our continuing effort to protect wildlife habitat and scenic shoreline while enhancing recreational opportunities that support the regional economy,” Perlson said.

Located in scenic western Maine, Rangeley Lake State Park consists of 898 acres on the 10-square-mile Rangeley Lake.

The area is famous for landlocked salmon and trout fishing, and water sports, hiking, picnicking, camping, wildlife watching, and photography.

The park has a popular campground, with 50 campsites, some with water access.

As of October 2009, the campground had a 2.7 percent increase in usage over the same time period last year, Stearns said.

The campground and day-use areas offer picnicking, swimming, and a concrete boat launching ramp with floats.

“Rangeley Lake State Park is an important tourism asset that helps sustain Rangeley’s economy,” Stearns said.

“Four miles of uninterrupted shoreline protection will keep Rangeley attractive for visitors, paddlers, campers, hunters, and fishermen for generations to come,” Stearns said. “This acquisition is part of western Maine’s tourism future.”  

Tim Glidden, LMF director, said Monday that the Height of Land, Bald Mountain, the Rangeley River, the Cupsuptic Lake campground projects and now this 29-acre acquisition are all examples of the ongoing, successful partnership with the trust.

“Widely recognized as one of Maine’s gems, the Rangeley Lakes region
has benefited from several investments by the Land for Maine’s Future
Program over the years,” Glidden said. 

In total, state and Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust conservation lands on Rangeley Lake now include 4 miles of continuously conserved lake
frontage and 1,800 acres of contiguous park and conservation lands,
including public reserve lands. 

“The LMF board is extremely appreciative of the key role the trust has played in protecting the quality of the Rangeley Lakes region for the benefit of all Maine citizens,”  Glidden said.

[email protected]

A half mile of shoreline on South Bog, foreground, was added into the Rangeley Lake State Park this month, according to Maine’s Bureau of Parks and Lands.