STRONG — A town park has become more than just a place to picnic and play.

The park on Burbank Hill has become a way to remember two of the area’s fallen soldiers.

In 1992, Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Scott Paul was killed during the Gulf War in a helicopter crash. Three years later, townspeople approved using available land for a community park and named it in his honor.

Since then, volunteers have improved and expanded the park, including walking trails, swings, picnic tables and space for an annual summer camp for children. The park’s many annual visitors enjoy picnic tables, barbecue grills and easy access to ATV, walking and hiking trails.

A separate area in the park memorializes Army National Guard soldier Sgt. Richard Parker, who was killed during his second tour of duty in Iraq in 2007. After clearing a section of the town park, fundraisers and volunteers completed the 160-step Stairway to Freedom that connects the top section of the hillside to the new playground and grassy area near Doctor Brook.

In August, the Mountains Council of Realtors received a Placemaking micro-grant of $1,500 from the National Association of Realtors, said Gloria McGraw, Mountains Council president.

Grants help realtor associations partner with their community members for projects that make them unique and welcoming places to live.

“Realtors live, work and volunteer in their communities and take immense pride in working to improve them,” McGraw said.

Family friend Bill Crandall works with Flagg’s daughter, Meaghan Parker-Crockett, at the Western Maine Community Action Program. He suggested she and her mother, Dixie Flagg, apply for the Mountains Council grant to improve the section of the play area for children.

This Placemaking grant will provide more playground equipment and a sandbox, according to Flagg.

“People have worked tremendously hard to make this memorial for Richard,” she said. “He won’t be forgotten.”

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