Lions break ground on Doyen Family Field

Terry Sandusky, Special to The County
4 hours ago

The Mapleton Lions Club broke ground June 8 on the Willard Doyen Family Field on Pool Street in Mapleton.  

The Doyen family donated close to six acres of land adjacent to the Tri-Town Recreation facilities to expand outdoor recreation options for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman.  

Planning includes a series of development projects that will enhance recreation for youth and families. The club decided the first project would be construction of the planned parking lot.  

The new parking facility located on Pool Street in Mapleton is now under construction. The Mapleton Lions Club has contracted with AR Walton Construction to prepare the land and construct the lot. This lot will reduce the congestion and resolve the problem of inadequate parking at the Tri-Town Recreation Facilities as well as the new Doyen Family Field.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)

One of the challenges in using the town recreation facilities is the lack of adequate parking. By opening 60 to 70 more spaces, families and friends can more easily attend and enjoy events at the town and new Doyen Family Field facilities.

The club contracted with AR Walton Construction to install necessary drainage culverts and begin clearing the property.  Once the excess soil is relocated on the backside of the property, they will prepare the parking surface. The club is paying for the work with funds raised through its annual charity auction and food booth, operated during the Northern Maine Fair and the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, along with some additional donations.

When this project is completed, the next will be construction of an event and picnic pavilion just above the parking lot.  Preliminary construction design and plans are being finalized.  

The structure will be much like the Mantle Lake Pavilion in Presque Isle.  It will be built on a concrete slab with a picnic table area and a kitchen with stove, refrigerator and running water.  At the end of the pavilion, there will be two complete restrooms and a storage area.  Final designs and plans with cost estimates are being prepared.

Here is the preliminary drawing of the proposed pavilion for the Willard C. Doyen and Family Field to be constructed and operated by the Mapleton Lions Club. Construction of the pavilion is planned for 2027. The name is misspelled in the drawing.
(Courtesy of Terry Sandusky)

The pavilion will be a project for next year because fund raising, grant writing and donation solicitation will be needed to fund this project, which will substantially more expensive than the parking lot project.

Preparing for the fair

The Doyen Family Field development is one of many reasons the Mapleton Lions Club encourages all to visit the Lions Den at the Northern Maine Fair.  The den will serve everyone’s favorite sandwiches, french fries and doughboys.  

The booth will be open from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Aug. 5 to 7, from noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 8 and noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 8.  

Two serving lines will be set up, one for regular food items and the second for doughboys only.  The setup speeds up purchases of food.  

Funds raised will benefit the Doyen Family Field as well as buy food for the town food closet, buy eyeglasses, support Quoggy Jo youth skiing, the Mapleton Recreation Program and its Little League. 

For more information on these and other projects, stay tuned to the Mapleton Lions Club Facebook page.

Terry Sandusky is The County’s correspondent for Mapleton, Chapman and Castle Hill and can be reached at 764-4916 or at starherald.Tsandusky@gmail.com.