Chapter IX: Recreational and Cultural Resources
I. INVENTORY
A. LAND DEVOTED TO RECREATIONAL USE
1. Publicly-Owned Facilities
The town owns several outdoor recreation facilities. (Two of those listed below were developed with the help of federal grants.)
Beachwood Park is a 1 acre parcel off Beachwood Avenue, adjoining the Highway Department facility, which was first put into use during the summer of 1994. It includes two tennis courts, a basketball court, a playground and a picnic area. It is receiving heavy use.
Cape Porpoise Firemen's Park is a 2.3 acre parcel by the water. The field has a softball diamond, a field study area and picnic tables. Playground equipment is to be added in the spring of 1996.
Cape Porpoise Pier and Government Wharf, although they are intended primarily as commercial facilities, receive substantial recreational use as points of attraction and for sightseeing. Unfortunately, both piers have inadequate parking.
Parsons Field is a 5 acre parcel adjacent to The Consolidated School. The field has a new drainage system and established sod. The field is used for baseball, softball, lacrosse, soccer and summer recreation programs.
Parsons Way is a walkway along Ocean Avenue providing scenic views and picnics. While there is no parking permitted on Parsons Way itself, there are some spots where parking is possible on the adjoining public right-of-way. Parsons Way receives heavy use.
Silas Perkins Park is a riverfront lot on Ocean Avenue with picnic tables and benches overlooking the Kennebunk River.
The Town Forest consists of 450 acres of undeveloped land, some without access. They may be used for walking, riding, cross country skiing and nature study. These lands receive light use.
The Federal Government also owns land in Kennebunkport which is available for outdoor recreation.
The Goat Island Lighthouse has recently been automated and the island has no year-round inhabitants. It has been leased to the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, which says it had a seasonal occupant in 1994.
The Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge owns about 500 acres, mostly marshes and estuaries. Though not operated as a recreational facility, the refuge is open to public use and is lightly used for bird watching, hiking, and cross country skiing. Hunting is allowed by permit. There are limited boating opportunities in the open water portions of the refuge.
2. Privately-Owned Facilities Open To The Public
In addition to the municipally-owned facilities, the town has within it privately-owned outdoor recreation areas which are used by the public without a fee.
Cleave's Cove: Pedestrian right-of-way only; approximately 500 feet of water access; rocky shorefront; limited swimming; scenic views; bird and seal watching; receives light use.
Colony Beach: Federal and private ownership; limited parking; approximately 500 feet of water access with breakwater jetty; swimming; scenic views; fishing; launching of light craft over the beach; receives heavy use.
Goose Rocks Beach: Private and municipal ownership; sticker parking; right of way via five town-owned lots with frontage; approximately two mile beach; swimming, scenic views; sailboarding; jogging; bird watching; cross country skiing in winter. Although the privately-owned areas of the beach are not open to recreational use other than walking, the public beach receives heavy use.
The Kennebunkport Conservation Trust, a private organization chartered to protect land from development, owns 26 parcels of land, totaling approximately 150 acres, including several off-shore islands.
The River Green on Ocean Avenue is suited for band concerts, fairs, demonstrations. The Green receives very heavy use.
Vaughn's Island is used seasonally for camping programs and is accessible by foot at low tide.
Cape, Redin and Green Islands, off Cape Porpoise, are undeveloped and are used for picnicking and some overnight camping.
Craig Pine Grove is a nine-acre parcel in Cape Porpoise Village with a nature trail.
The Emmons-Chick Properties on Gravelly Brook Road, where a future ecology center is planned.
Seven lots of land at Goose Rocks Beach, which add substantially to the land there which is accessible to the public.
In addition, within the Town, there are many other private open areas, zoned "Tree Growth", comprising approximately 1,286 acres. These are mostly tree growth and farm lots; casual use permitted by owners for hunting, horseback riding, cross country skiing, views. ATV and skimobiles are usually prohibited.
Title 14 of Maine State Statutes addresses the issue of limited liability for activities on privately owned land. Maine has a custom of permissive access, which says that "Landowners are not responsible for personal injury to those who come on their land." This enables us to rely on a mixture of public and private lands for our recreation. In return, the public is to remember they are on private land and have no right to leave litter or park wherever they choose.
3. Other Privately-Owned Facilities
Cape Arundel Golf Club. This is a semi-private club with an attractive 18-hole golf course situated along the banks of the Kennebunk River. The public can use the course at designated hours after payment of a greens fee.
Kennebunk River Club. This is a private tennis and yacht club of approximately 225 members, established in 1889 as the “Lobster Boat and Canoe Club”. Its facilities comprise eight tennis courts, docks, and a complex of buildings on both sides of Ocean Avenue. The Boathouse, dating to 1889, is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Club annually sponsors art and theatrical events which are open to the public.
Arundel Yacht Club. This is a private club of approximately 225 members whose clubhouse is a former ropewalk. It provides dock space for about 50 boats of various sizes, and engages in an extensive program of social functions. The club sponsors weekend sailing races and instructional sailing programs for children in which non-members can participate whenever space permits.
Goose Rocks Beach Association. This is a private club that maintains three tennis courts and a small boat launching ramp. The Association sponsors a summer youth program and also sponsors social activities.
4. Commercial Campgrounds
Kennebunkport Camping Park; 28 acres; 82 tenting and camping sites w/hookups; receives heavy use (seasonal).
Salty Acres on Route 9; 38 acres; 100 tenting and camping sites w/hookups; 400 picnic tables; showers; seasonal grocery store; adjacent restaurant, pool and motel; receives heavy use (seasonal).
B. RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS OF THE TOWN
For a number of years, Kennebunkport has benefited from a year-round recreational program with a full-time director and several program assistants. According to the Director, Carol Cook, the popularity of specific activities rises and falls, but the town endeavors each year to offer a variety of appealing choices. Those which were available in 1994, and the approximate number who participated, are as follows:
Soccer 320
Halloween Party 500
Summer Playground (Jr. & Sr.) 185
Youth Basketball 120
Father-Daughter Valentines Dance 52 couples
Men's Basketball 45
Kindergarten Soccer 61
Open Gym (Indoor) 40
Kennebunkport After-School Adventure 35
Swimming Lessons (at Biddeford YMCA) 46
Mother-Son Pizza and Bowling 32 couples
Second Grade Instructional Basketball 28
Shoot-A-Thon (Basketball) 17
50-Plus Club 15
Dance Program 9
Track 5
Hersheys (a track & field program) 2
The Recreation Department also coordinates with the Police and Youth Services Departments in sponsoring dances and other activities for students. In addition, athletic activities for S.A.D. 71 High School "Club Teams", including soccer, lacrosse and area baseball, all take place in the recreational facilities of the town of Kennebunkport.
C. OTHER RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
One of the attractions which lures summer visitors and tourists to Kennebunkport is the variety of recreational opportunities that are available.
Probably the premier attraction is the town's several beaches, which have been described elsewhere in this report.
For those who wish to get out upon the water, there are several ways to do so:
° One sightseeing vessel takes visitors for tours covering most of the shoreline of the town.
° Two sailing vessels about 35 feet in length, one a sloop and the other a schooner, will take groups of visitors on short off-shore excursions.
° Two motor vessels offer regular all-day "whale watching" trips, which usually go out to the vicinity of Jeffrey's Ledge.
° For persons who wish to "do it themselves," it is usually possible to rent a motor boat or a sailboat from one of the local marinas.
For those who enjoy fishing, there are several ways to proceed:
° The breakwater at the harbor entrance attracts many who are short on cash but long on patience.
° One 36-foot sport fisherman can be chartered by the day.
For those devoted to walking, itineraries are easily planned following the riverfront or along the oceanfront, using Parsons Way. The Historical Society organizes Walking Tours covering the older sections of the town. Bicycles can be rented at several spots within the town. For those who are more athletically inclined, there are periodic road races, marathons, and bicycle races.
Outside of Kennebunkport, but within easy driving distance, are some other options:
° Several additional golf courses and driving ranges.
° Several miniature golf courses, amusement parks, and water slides.
D. CULTURAL RESOURCES
1. Societies and Associations
River Tree Arts. Although River Tree's headquarters are in Kennebunk, many citizens of Kennebunkport contribute greatly to its support and operation. The association sponsors a diverse set of performances, exhibits, workshops and classes dealing with music, theatre, dance, literary and artistic programs.
Kennebunkport Historical Society. This society, with several hundred members, maintains headquarters in a 100-year-old schoolhouse on North Street, where it preserves and displays a variety of documents and artifacts of historical interest, and periodically presents lectures and entertainments. The Society also maintains the Nott House, an attractively furnished Greek Revival mansion on Maine Street, where guided tours are offered during the summer season.
2. Museums
Seashore Trolley Museum. This museum is claimed to possess the largest collection of trolley cars, subway cars and related equipment in the world. A few of the cars are more than 100 years old. Many of these cars are displayed for visitors to inspect, and the Museum has shops in which it is gradually restoring many of the others. Visitors can take trolley rides on the museum's private two-mile stretch of track.
Kennebunkport Maritime Museum. This museum is housed in "The Floats", a former wharf which was fitted out as a private club during the 1930's by the author Booth Tarkington. It now displays ship models, paintings, and a variety of other nautical memorabilia.
3. Libraries
Louis T. Graves Memorial Library. This library is housed in a brick building on Maine Street, dating from 1813, which was formerly the U.S. Customs House. It is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It receives about half of its funding from the Town, and the remainder from private donations. The Library's hours vary somewhat, but it is open five afternoons and four evenings each week, and on Saturday mornings. It offers over 25,000 books, audio and video tapes, and a variety of other services. The staff and volunteers provide excellent service.
Cape Porpoise Town Library. This small library offers a variety of books of general interest, and is open three afternoons each week as well as Saturday mornings. It receives limited funding from the Town, but is mainly supported by the Cape Porpoise community. It is housed in Atlantic Hall, and has a part-time paid librarian with volunteer assistance.
4. Churches
The following churches are located within the Town of Kennebunkport:
° Church on the Cape (United Methodist), Langsford Road
° First Congregational Church, Log Cabin Road
° Saint Ann's Episcopal Church, Ocean Avenue (summer season only)
° Saint Martha's Church (Catholic), North Street, (summer season only)
° South Congregational Church, Temple Street
° Village Baptist Church, Maine Street
The Franciscan Monastery occupies attractive grounds immediately opposite the town on the west bank of the Kennebunk River. Churches representing several other denominations lie within short driving distance of Kennebunkport.
5. Art Galleries
There are more than a dozen commercial art galleries within the town, offering a wide variety of art, sculpture, and other art objects. Several artists guilds sponsor shows throughout the year.
6. Halls and Meeting Rooms
American Legion Hall is located off Route 9, midway between the Dock Square area and Cape Porpoise. It can be used for social affairs and will seat about 100.
Atlantic Hall is the community center of Cape Porpoise and is supported by the residents of the Cape. The first floor contains the Library, reference tables, and kitchen facilities. The Hall on the second floor is used for parties and dances, and will seat about 100.
The Goose Rocks Fire Station, located on Route 9 north of Goose Rocks Beach, includes a meeting room which seats about 100 people.
Consolidated School Gymnasium. This facility is large enough to seat 668 people and is the site of all Town Meetings. Arrangements can be made with the School for private use. The room has a stage but no theatrical lighting.
South Congregational Community House. Located across Temple Street from the Post Office, this building was formerly home to the Olympian Club. It seats about 100 people and has a stage. It has kitchen facilities and is used extensively for social gatherings.
Pasco Room, Graves Library. This room on the second floor of the Library can be arranged to seat about 25 people. It is handicapped accessible. It is available for meetings of non-profit organizations.
Timson Room, Ocean National Bank. This room in the basement of the bank's Kennebunkport branch can be arranged to seat about 20 people.
South Congregational Church. Arrangements can be made to use the sanctuary of this church, which seats about 300 people, for non-religious gatherings.
7. Private Schools
With the exception of nursery schools, there are no private schools within the town. Nearby in Arundel there are several: The Heartwood School of Art, the School Around Us which teaches children in elementary grades; and the Landing School of Boatbuilding and Design, which accepts students of all ages. In Biddeford is the University of New England, which is noted primarily as an osteopathic school of medicine.
8. Restaurants
To the extent that dining may be considered a cultural activity, Kennebunkport residents are extremely well endowed. Because of its status as a resort area, the town boasts a wealth of restaurants in all cuisines and price brackets. Even in the "off season", when many of the restaurants are closed, the variety available remains remarkable for so small a community.
9. Other Resources in the Area
At various times from 20 to 40 year ago, Kennebunkport boasted a cinema, a summer theatre, and a light opera company. All of these are gone now, the victims of skyrocketing costs and easy entertainment via television. Nevertheless, within a radius of 25 miles, including the cities of Biddeford, Portland, Dover and Portsmouth, Kennebunkport residents can still draw upon a wide range of cultural attractions, including:
° WBACH, 99.3 FM (classical music station)
° Art museums
° An aquarium
° Bowling alleys
° An indoor ice arena
° Children's museums
° The University of New England
° Several stage companies
° Portland's Symphony Orchestra
° A variety of concerts and other stage presentations
° At least a dozen movie theatres
° A very active Senior Center
° Professional baseball and hockey teams
° Several Y.M.C.A. s
II. ANALYSIS AND CONCLUSIONS
Viewed in their entirety, the recreational and cultural resources of Kennebunkport are excellent for a town of our size, and those related to marine activity are outstanding. This, of course, does much to account for the town's popularity as a vacation resort.
Fortunate as we may be, it is always possible to identify ways in which our situation might be improved.
A. RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
In 1990, the Town's Recreation Department conducted a survey to determine the types of new recreational facilities which were most desired. While some of the items mentioned in the response have since been provided, one remains at the top of the "wish list":
1. Access to the water for citizens with small boats. We interpret this to mean an affordable launching ramp where cars with boat trailers can be parked. Assuming that the Town would find such usage to be consistent with its goals, the biggest obstacle to overcome in such a project would be the cost of acquiring a suitable location, and of grading and paving the parking and launching surfaces.
2. Bicycle paths. Surveys have repeatedly mentioned corridors on road shoulders for bikers, runners, and roller blade skaters. Every year the Arundel Road and Goose Rocks Road to the beach become more dangerous, but so far no action has been taken by the Town.
The barriers facing both of these projects do not appear insurmountable, and both deserve consideration.
B. CULTURAL FACILITIES
On the cultural side, the Town's biggest need would seem to be an auditorium for theatre, concerts and other performances. Were such a building available, it would attract stage companies, musicians and performing artists, and thus would serve as a cultural magnet. The building could also meet the Town s need for a public meeting hall with a seating capacity greater than 100 people.
III. IMPLEMENTATION
A. STATE GOAL:
TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THE AVAILABILITY OF OUTDOOR RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL MAINE CITIZENS, INCLUDING ACCESS TO SURFACE WATERS.
TOWN GOAL 1: MAINTAIN AND EXPAND ACCESS TO THE SHORE FOR BOTH COMMERCIAL AND RECREATIONAL USES
POLICY 1: Work to provide boaters access to the ocean.
Strategy 1: Search for a location to construct a municipal launching ramp with a suitable parking lot, which could be used at a reasonable fee.
Responsible Party: Town Meeting, Selectmen
Recommended Time Frame: One year of adoption of plan
TOWN GOAL 2: ENCOURAGE OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
POLICY 1: Encourage appropriate use of the Town Forest. (See Chapter V.)
POLICY 2: Establish a bicycle path program.
Strategy 1: Draw up and publish maps of the town, which show historical and scenic points of interest and indicate distances, show bicycle paths, and suggest walking tours.
Responsible Party: Road Commissioner, Historical Society, Recreation Commission, local bikers
Recommended Time Frame: One year after adoption of plan
Strategy 2: Install bike racks at Dock Square, Colony Beach, and Goose Rocks Beach.
Responsible Party: Recreation Committee, Road Commissioner, Goose Rocks Concerned Citizens, Goose Rocks Beach Association, Kennebunkport Business Association
Recommended Time Frame: One year after adoption of plan
Strategy 3: Establish bike routes and provide signage.
Responsible Party: Recreation Committee, Road Commissioner, local bikers
Recommended Time Frame: One year after adoption of plan
Strategy 4: Investigate available funding grants.
Responsible Party: Town Forestry Committee, Recreation Committee
Recommended Time Frame: One year after adoption of plan
Strategy 5: Continue the Town's sidewalk improvement program.
Responsible Party: Sidewalk Committee
Recommended Time Frame: Ongoing
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