FARMINGTON — The Board of Selectmen accepted a $73,997 donation Tuesday from Richard Bjorn to landscape a park on the former town garage lot.

The board also agreed to maintain the property. 

Town Manager Richard Davis estimated a cost of approximately $1,000 per year or less for water and electricity. The exact amount will be difficult to know until the park is in place.

With the generosity of Bjorn, the town should accept some responsibility, Selectmen Stephan Bunker said.

Bjorn agreed to an estimate from E.L. Vining & Son for work on the area at the corner of High Street and Farmington Falls Road.

The park is based on a sketch of ideas drawn up by Conservation Commission member Robert Zundel, a landscape architect.

Vining’s estimate includes stripping the site, including removing and legally disposing of an existing salt shed; grading the site according to Zundel’s plans; installing seven parking areas for cars with crushed hot top; installing a stone dust path with loam and seed for the entire site and supplying and installing loam for trees and plantings.

Four concrete benches will be added, along with a 4- by 4-foot piece of granite installed in a center island area.

A water source is needed for the care of trees and shrubs, Davis said, while electricity is needed to light the town’s welcome sign.

Adding electricity to the lot will add to the $73,997 figure, Davis said. The amount is still under consideration.

The area will not be illuminated at night, he said. The board also discussed not plowing the area in the winter and closing it for the season. 

The board will have to develop some rules, he said.

“It will take a year to develop the true costs of maintenance,” he said.

Some have suggested adding an informational kiosk to hold brochures for visitors entering town from Route 2. Davis has inquired whether students at Forster Technology Center would consider building the kiosk, he said.

Selectmen had the 411 High St. property appraised last year while considering selling the lot to add it back to the tax rolls. They brought the decision before voters during the March town meeting, where some spoke against selling the property.

The board felt this plan aligned with what people voiced they wanted done with the property.

abryant@sunjournal.com