Letter to the editor: Friends of River Park propose permanent home for Farmers’ Market
We, the Friends of River Park, are proposing that the ownership of the Apollo Tannery Site be retained by the Town of Camden for the purpose of creating a “River Park” that would also serve as the permanent home of the Camden Farmers' Market. We propose a collaboration among the Town of Camden, the Camden Farmers' Market and the community-based “Friends of the River Park” group, which will serve as a fund raising organization. The Camden Farmers' Market will be a lessee and provide rental income to the Town in exchange for a permanent Market.
The Tannery Site holds tremendous promise! It is bordered on one side by the picturesque Megunticook River and recently constructed Riverwalk. The opposite boundary is a majestic boulevard of trees along Washington Street with the scenic backdrop of Mount Battie rising in the distance.
The Park will be designed to accommodate the Camden Farmers' Market and compliment the natural landscape along the river. The Farmers' Market will occupy the central, level area of the site, using the existing entrances off Washington Street. It will have a large, central market area and off-street parking for customers (see attached plan). These areas will utilize a living “grass grid” lawn system that will allow for vehicle traffic but function as a recreation area when the Market is not in operation. This system will also mitigate storm water runoff into the river.
Funding for the phased rehabilitation of the site will be raised through private, tax-deductible donations in addition to public sources such as EPA Brownfield reuse grants and the USDA’s Farmers Market Promotion Program. As funds are raised, Park features such as benches along the river, a picnic area with tables, multi-age playground equipment, a basketball hoop, and additional landscaping will be added, all of which will enhance the Farmers' Market experience.
Long range plans include the removal of the concrete slabs dotting the property.
This “River Park” proposal is groundbreaking for Camden. It will convert an existing Brownfield site that has been a “problem property” for the town into an exciting new showplace for the town and the Millville neighborhood.
This proposal is good for the economy. It will:
Stimulate Camden's commercial economy by becoming a magnet for shoppers from other towns and increase customer traffic to Washington Street businesses;
Create and maintain jobs in the local farm economy by improving visibility for the Camden Farmers’ Market and providing a vibrant source for local farm goods (at least 60 jobs are dependent on the success of the Camden Farmers Market);
Position Camden as a frontrunner in the farm-to-table movement, a rapidly growing sector of the Maine economy and a significant tourism draw; and
Provide additional public space for events which will further stimulate the economy such as community celebrations, craft fairs, swap meets, and multi-family yard sales.
This proposal is good for the community. It will:
Unite Camden on a practical solution to the seemingly intractable problem long presented by the Tannery Site — a solution that includes both commercial and park/open-space uses and promotes community involvement through grassroots participation and fundraising;
Attract younger families to move to and stay in Camden by creating a child-friendly recreational space with a playground and a flat, obstacle-free play space (when not in Market use), an amenity not offered by other in-town Camden Parks;
Make the Millville neighborhood a more attractive place to live, encourage homeowner improvements, and increase property values; and
Compliment the popular, recently completed Riverwalk Trail, highlighting the Megunticook River as destination in and of itself, thereby increasing awareness of the river's inestimable value to our community and serving as a midpoint attraction and parking area strategically located between downtown and Shirttail Point.
Friends of River Park for more info contact:
Tom Resek
207-245-1272 or 612-599-8811
Eleanor Masin-Peters
207-236-4265
Meg Barclay
207-446-3114
Steve Gold
207 450 0013
Jim Hughes
207-236-2219
