ROCKPORT — The Lesher Family Foundation is inviting public participation in shaping the old Rockport Elementary School site on West Street into a, “Vibrant Community Park for All Rockport.”

A website has been created, and voters in Rockport, who will decided June 13 if the park proposal is an eventuality, will see a related article on the 2023 June Town Town Meeting Warrant, at the polls. Read more: Rockport voters to face big ticket decisions at June Town Meeting: New fire station, RES community park

The public-private project calls for the Lesher Family Foundation to invest $3 million into the 6.7 acres to transform it into a park. In return, the town is being asked to retain the title to the RES parcel and to dedicate it for use as a public park and recreation space. Currently, the town-owned lot is assessed at $222,800.

“The Lesher family arrived in Rockport in 2008 about the time that the few remaining RES buildings were removed from the site,” the website said. “As we better understood the shared spaces that mattered to many in the community, we recognized that this property was ‘special’. Generations of residents spent their formative school years here. Its soccer and baseball fields provided an athletic outlet for youth and a venue for social gatherings where families could watch, cheer, and enjoy. Residents exercise their dogs on the grass of the old fields and use the concrete slabs as a proving-ground for kids learning to ride bikes (our family's grandchildren included). More recently, the site served as a wildly popular, temporary drive-in movie theater.”

In a statement, the foundation said:

“The Lesher Family Foundation was delighted to hear of the Select Board’s continued support for a community park project at the former RES site. 

“LFF has launched a website to share information, gather community feedback, and keep residents informed about decisions, updates, or events prior to and following the June 13th vote. In particular, residents can view a preliminary concept plan for the park and participate in a survey. Click here to be taken to the site.

”LFF is hopeful that Rockport residents will vote in favor of the proposal and eager to advance collaboration with the town and the community to build a park for all Rockport. 

“For questions or comments, please contact LFF’s Maine Director, Mary Jane Young at maryjane@lesherfamilyfoundation.org.”

Landscape architect involved in the project has been Yarmouth-based Terry DeWan, and his company Viewshed.