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NEXT PHASE OF RIVERFRONT DEVELOPMENT
UNDERWAY

The Riverfront Committee is gearing up for yet another exciting season of development at Riverfront Park.  Last year’s efforts saw the induction of educational story boards around the park and on Gateway Bridge; signage at the park entrance; picnic tables; and a kiosk to display community information.  Landscaping and beautification work also continued with the addition of natural rocks. The rocks were featured in the Riverfront Committee’s successful “Guess the Weight of our Rock” contest. The contest was won by local John Benn who donated his winnings to the continuation of the Riverfront Park Project.

This year’s plans are already in full swing with tree plantings, the placement of trash receptacles and, according to Riverfront Committee Chairperson Bob Anderson, there’s much more to come.

“At the moment our main focus is on construction of a stairway which will run from the walking trail to Highland Avenue,” Anderson explained. “This is going to be a huge undertaking and construction is ready to begin.”

Anderson stated that materials and landscaping for the stairway project is estimated to cost about $20,000.

“Right now we have about $5,000 on hand for the stairway project,” Anderson commented, “and our goal is to raise another $50,000, which will allow us to complete the stairway and move forward with other pieces of the project.”

The “other pieces” Anderson was speaking of are the installation of lights along the walking trail, paving of the walking trail, landscaping around the picnic area, and the addition of 10 more storyboards.

Anderson added that the Riverfront Committee plans to raise the funds needed to complete the projects through the continued sale of brick pavers, which line the walkways near Gateway Bridge, the sale of steps and landings on the new stairway, and from the generosity of donors, sponsors, and grants.

To make a donation or to inquire about the Riverfront Project, contact Andrea Newman at Vital Pathways at 207-532-3071 / email vital.pathways@yahoo.com; Chelsea Wilson at FA Peabody at 207-532-2291 / email chelsea.wilson@fapeabody.com, or the Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce at 207-532-4216 / email chamber@greaterhoulton.com. All monetary donations are received through Vital Pathways, the project sponsor, a 501c(3) Non-Profit Corporation.

The Houlton Riverfront Project is a joint project between Vital Pathways (VP) and the Town of Houlton, guided by the Riverfront Committee. The first phase of this project, the result of a vision that developed approximately six years ago, is now completed.This finished Phase I consists of an impressive handicapped accessible footbridge spanning 187 feet over the Meduxnekeag River. This bridge is a work of art within itself to say the least. It is something that the entire Greater Houlton Area can be proud of now that it is completed. In addition to connecting the North Street side of the river to Market Square, the bridge is a focal point for a trailhead that will connect multiple trails from outlying communities. Next, Phase II of the project needs to be completed to bring the Riverfront Park to the north end of the bridge.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held by Vital Pathways to open Gateway Crossing, the new pedestrian bridge, on June 30th in conjunction with Houlton’s 19th Annual Midnight Madness Celebration. The Wooden Glulam Arch rises up from North Street, gracefully reaches across the Meduxnekeag River, and leads into the historic Market Square District of Houlton. While Mardi Gras was the theme of Midnight Madness this year, townsfolk dressed as farmers, lumbermen, and other influential people from Houlton’s rich history marched up to cut the big red ribbon to open the bridge to pedestrian traffic. Crowds lined both sides of the bridge in the late afternoon sunshine waiting a turn to cross the expanse over the Meduxnekeag. After a few short speeches by town officials, the ribbon was severed

As soon as the ribbon ends fluttered to the decking, the first pedestrians converged on the walkways for their first stroll across their beautifully constructed bridge. Family groups stopped along the bridge to talk with friends and neighbors from near and far. Small children were amazed by how far they were up in the air and what they could see up and down the river. Some folks stood watching a muskrat going about its business unconcerned by all the commotion going on over it. Others just gazed at the wildlife around and below them that had been invisible until now. Birds swooping low over the water to catch insects, turtles building nests, and small creatures creeping through the undergrowth are now common sights.

At dusk the second ceremony of the day came. As the sun was slipping down behind Bangor Street and a light cool breeze teased the air, Vital Pathways President Audrey York oversaw the lighting ceremony. An expectant hush fell over the crowd standing on the bridge as the lights flickered on, blinked, and then came on to stay. There was some cheering and clapping as the lights became brighter. As the evening became darker, the shimmering reflections of the lights on the water only added to the beauty of the bridge. Looking up from Highland Avenue Bridge in the late evening also gives a lovely view of Gateway Crossing with the lights glistening on the rippling water. What a wonderful accomplishment for the town of Houlton!

The footbridge will serve as a Historical Time Line of Houlton's Histories with various engraved plaques symmetrically placed on the footbridge. This idea brought to us by the The Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce will make your walk across the footbridge an educational and historical experience as you learn of Houlton's history on your walk over the Meduxnekeag River. Time Line Sponsors will have a Time Line Plaque placed with their donation.

Vital Pathways has commissioned local artist Susan York of Brown Dog Inc. to design the time line plaques that will dot the trail and bridge giving visitors a chance to learn more about the history of our community.

VP has agreed to work as the fiscal agent for the Riverfront Project as funds are being raised to complete the Riverfront Project as planned. They believe community projects supported by local people create "Community Spirit", that something extra that makes the Greater Houlton area an extraordinary place to live.

Houlton will be 200 years old in 2007; the plaque project will be a great accent to Houlton's Bicentennial celebration.

Unfortunately, not all the work on the project is done yet. Landscaping still needs to be finished for a parking and picnic area on North Street. A paved flood resistant walking trail that wanders downstream to the Highland Avenue Bridge with stairs reaching up to street level is in the works also.

You can help the Riverfront Committee finish the park and trail project....one paver at a time. The pavers will be placed at the plaza entrances at both ends of the bridge. Become a Riverfront Paver Sponsor for a donation of $100/$200, which is tax deductible since Vital Pathways is a 501C Nonprofit Organization. Get together with your class or a group of friends and buy a paver.  Do you admire a teacher or sports team?  Do you want to remember a classmate or make a statement?  Honor someone such as a veteran or a loved one.  Here's your chance to do it with style.

If you are interested in donating towards this project, you may donate to Vital Pathways. Please make your tax deductible donation out to Vital Pathways, Houlton River Front Project and send it to Vital Pathways, P.O. Box 1437, Houlton Maine, 04730.

Your help in completing this project will be greatly appreciated by all and will help to make the Houlton Meduxnekeag Riverfront a more beautiful place to live, visit, and play.