Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Aroostook State Park helped kick off the 75th anniversary of the Maine State Parks System by hosting the first major event of the calendar year with Take It Outside, a program designed to encourage individuals to get more active.
Hundreds visited the park on Feb. 20, taking in a number of activities, including skiing, skating, sliding, snowshoeing, dog sled and snowmobile rides, nature tours and ice harvesting demonstrations.
“We’re pleased with the huge turnout. The weather was amazing,” said Scott Thompson, park director.
Thompson said despite the warm temperatures of late, even the ice on Echo Lake cooperated.
“We were a little concerned about the thickness but when it was cut, it showed a depth of 18-20 inches,” he said.
Participants of all ages turned out for the festivities.
“I’m here with my 3-year-old grandson, Ryder Chandler, of Mapleton. We came to snowshoe. This is his second year,” said Mitch Guiggey, as his grandson shook hands with Wayne Seeley, maintenance coordinator at Cobscook Bay State Park.
Seeley was joined at the park by his son, Sgt. Joey Seeley of the Presque Isle Police Department. The pair visited with participants, offering advice on what activities were being offered throughout the day. Seeley said his park held a similar open house recently but attendance was nothing like Aroostook State Park’s.
“We had an event like this recently at Cobscook Bay State Park with about 400 in attendance. They have us beat,” said Seeley, who’d made the trip up to help out at the park.
Amanda Barker, of Ashland, kept busy, towing her 2-year-old son, Chance Sawyer, around the park in a child-sized sleigh.
“This is our first time attending. He was fascinated by the ice cutting,” said Barker.
A variety of four-footed guests were also on hand — some working, while others took in the sights and sounds. Winona Christnot, of Washburn, enjoyed the day with her dog, S’unka.
“I put booties on him to keep his paws from getting cut by snow and ice. He’s good — doesn’t get real excited, just watches things,” said Christnot.
Revily Dawson, of Presque Isle, visited the park, joined by several of her grandchildren.
“This is my first time. The grandkids are having a blast,” said Dawson, after completing a run down the snow slide with her granddaughter, Kennedy Griffin, of Caribou.
Sue Smith, of Chapman, joined other family members to enjoy the spring-like weather at the park.
“My niece has been waiting for a dogsled ride. It’s been a lot of years since I’ve seen this many people at the park,” said Smith.
She said she’d talked with several people since arriving at the park, including a couple from the Bangor area.
“They moved from another state to Bangor not long ago. They told me they heard about the park and the event today and decided to make the trip up to check it out,” said Smith. “They (park officials) couldn’t have asked for a better day for this.”
Thompson said this is just the first of many events planned at the park for the coming year.
“We’ll have the birding event coming up in a few months. We have camping, fishing, hiking and so much more,” said Thompson. “We have an event lined up with Catholic Charities to collect non-perishable food, with some fun activities planned.”
For more information on the park, contact Thompson at contact 768-8341.
Staff photo/Mike Gudreau
SLED RIDES were one of many activities enjoyed by hundreds who attended Aroostook State Park’s first major event of the year. Here, Joe Powers waits for traffic to pass before proceeding with his passengers.
Staff photo/Mike Gudreau
SCOTT PINETTE assists two young ladies with their snow shoes during Take It Outside festivities at Aroostook State Park in Presque Isle.
Staff photo/Kathy McCarty
FAMILY FUN — The Aroostook State Park hosted Take It Outside on Feb. 20, encouraging families to get active and enjoy what the state park has to offer. Here, a Presque Isle family prepares to take a run down the snow slide. Pictured helping his children is Chris Duchardt, of Presque Isle, with his daughter, McKenna LaFave and his son, Isaac Duchardt.
