LEWISTON – Five communities along the Androscoggin River will work together to plan for developing riverside recreation opportunities.

“This land has the opportunity to have significant long-term impact on this section of the state,” said Jonathan LaBonte, land trust executive director. “We have an ability to take advantage of the river as an economic asset and bring people here that want to experience the bass fishing, or to canoe and kayak, to hike or to hunt.”

The Lewiston and Auburn city councils Thursday joined Turner, Leeds and Greene in passing a resolution offered by Androscoggin Land Trust. The five communities will work together to shape the future of state-owned land along the river between Lewiston and Greene.

Backers picture a riverfront park with water access for paddlers, trails for ATV riders, hikers and others, facilities for visitors, and management to ensure the area is properly maintained. They would also like to see the park connected to Lewiston-Auburn and Turner through the river and a network of trails.

LaBonte said the resolution calls for the communities to work together.

“The resolution does not commit to what that vision is or what that plan will be,” LaBonte said. “But it agrees that all five communities see value in working together.”

The state has been acquiring riverfront land in Leeds and Turner over the past two decades. It picked up 326 acres at Turner Cove last summer.

Thursday’s agreement also encourages the five communities to monitor Florida Power and Light’s draft plan for improving water quality at the Deer Rips Dam. FPL operates the hydropower dam there and could be required to upgrade a system that adds dissolved oxygen to the river.