ROCKLAND — The City of Rockland has been awarded a $74,850 Community Action Grant to support the design of nature-based resilience improvements at Snow Marine Park and the extension of the Harbor Trail to its planned southern terminus. Design work with Sebago Technics is expected to begin this summer.

Incorporating recommendations identified in the City’s 2020 Harbor Management Plan, 2022 Comprehensive Plan, and 2023 Stormwater Master Plan, the project will design nature-based solutions to mitigate the long-term impacts of sea level rise and increasingly severe coastal storms, according to the City, in a news release. Nature-based solutions are those that build or restore natural habitats to reduce coastal hazard risks. Examples of nature-based solutions include wetland restoration, living shorelines, and bioswales.

The project will also include a focus on improving public access to Snow Marine Park through the design of an extended Harbor Trail, new public recreation facilities, and additional public space amenities along the waterfront.

“This project is a really exciting opportunity to think about the future of Snow Marine Park in partnership with the community,” said Jenny Carter, the City’s sustainability and community development coordinator. “Snow Marine Park is an important place for Rockland, and thanks to this Community Action Grant, we can plan for its long-term resilience and make sure it’s a really valuable public space for years to come.”

Opportunities for public engagement will be announced as the design process moves forward.

More information about this project can be found at rocklandmaine.gov/resilientSMP.