LIMESTONE, Maine — Community efforts to revitalize Limestone’s Albert Michaud Park are going strong, with nearly $12,000 raised between donations and grants as of Oct. 14.
Seeds for the project were planted last November during the Limestone Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting when longtime resident Pete Huntress suggested that the community come together under one collective goal to improve the town.
Michelle Albert, head of the Limestone Development Foundation, said the comments resonated with everyone at the meeting, and that she was soon inspired to contact Limestone Recreation Department Director Doug Sharpe about revitalizing the park — a goal he’d been pursuing without help for the past two years.
Most of the equipment in the park is from the time it was originally built in the early 1970s, and Albert said much of it needs to be replaced soon. Initially, Sharpe wanted to renovate the park as a place for children, but Albert suggested revamping the space so it could accommodate visitors of all ages.
Efforts to raise money to revitalize Limestone’s Albert Michaud Park are still going strong, with nearly $12,000 raised between donations and grants as of Oct. 14. (Chris Bouchard | Aroostook Republican)
Sharpe agreed, and in January a group was formed consisting of numerous town departments, businesses, organizations, and local residents.
The group’s goal is to create a splash pad, install new playground equipment, adult exercise equipment and an Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant walking path.
Sharpe said on Oct. 14 that the entire project is estimated to cost $175,000, adding that if half of this goal, or $87,500, is raised, the community will be eligible for larger, matching grants.
“We still have a ways to go,” said Sharpe. “We really need the community to step up and help us make this happen.”
The “Age Friendly Community Group” has received a $5,000 grant that will go toward the walking path, but Sharpe said that most of the available grants stipulate that half of the required funds be in hand in order to meet eligibility requirements.
“We will soon be sending out letters to the community in hopes they will contribute to the cause so we can at least hit that 50 percent goal line,” said Sharpe, adding that the community group is actively seeking grants in the meantime.
To make matters more difficult, the Albert Michaud Park Revitalization Committee was formed just months before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which Sharpe said hurt the group’s efforts quite a bit.
“We had several fundraisers lined up and future events we talked about that would have brought in significant funds, but once the pandemic hit, it caused us to cancel all of those,” he said. “It also prevented us from meeting regularly and put us back a few steps, but I feel we have gotten back on track in a positive way.”
The group’s original goal was to start construction in the spring of 2021, but Sharpe said the pandemic will likely push this date back a bit. He said the group has not yet reached out to any contractors, as they want to ensure they have all of the required funds before moving too far into the project.
“This is going to be a 100 percent community effort,” Sharpe concluded. “We will not be able to do this without the great people of Limestone.”
Donations can be mailed via check to Limestone Development Foundation, C/O Albert Michaud Park Project, 93 Main St., Limestone, Maine 04750 or dropped off at the town office or rec department in person. Donations are tax deductible.
