WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today announced that the National Park Services (NPS) has awarded a total of $229,442 to cities and towns throughout the state of Maine as part of its Land and Water Conservation Fund.
“Outdoor recreation contributes greatly to the quality of life in Maine and to our tourism industry, so we must ensure that recreational facilities across the state receive adequate funding,” said Senators Snowe and Collins in a joint statement. “The recent funding provided by the National Park Service will allow parks throughout Maine to cater to more people and offer enhanced visitor services.”
$110,000 has been awarded to the State of Maine to assist in the construction of underground water and electrical utilities at Sebago Lake and Camden Hills for recreational vehicle (RV) users and trailer-camper visitors. There are currently no camper hook-ups at either park so this project would provide expanded services to a visitor population not presently represented.
$50,000 will be given to the town of Kittery to assist in the development of a recreational area complete with athletic fields, parking lot, and wetlands within a protected area of the local park. The development of the recreational area will provide a safe recreational experience for all visitors to the park.
$35,000 has been awarded to the town of Appleton to assist in the renovation of outdated playground structures. The replacement of the playground structures and providing a safer floor surface will improve the recreational experience of the park and to accommodate all visitors to the park each day.
$15,442 has been awarded to the town of Camden to assist in the Phase II renovation-development of a snowmaking system at Camden Snow Bowl Ski Area on 205 acres in Knox County . The removal and replacement of the snowmaking system will improve the snowmaking capability of the park and therefore greatly enhance the visitor experience.
$15,000 will be given to the town of Winterport to assist in drainage renovation of two ball fields and a consolidation of playground structures to a central location. The renovations will provide a safe facilities for the park, improve the recreational experience, and to accommodate all visitors to the park each day.
$4,000 has been awarded to the town of Strong to assist in the renovation of comfort facilities at Strong Public Beach in Franklin County . The removal and replacement of the privies and separate clothes changing building will improve the recreational experience of the park and to accommodate a grater number of visitors to the park each day.
The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a partnership program that provides matching funds to states and local communities for acquisition, development, and conservation of parks and open space. The program is administered by the National Park Service in partnership with state governments.