During the Windham Town council meeting on June 12, councilors voted unanimously to explore the possibility of creating a pocket park for the Forbes Lane and Misty Drive neighborhood off Varney Mill Road.
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A vacant lot on Forbes Lane off Varney Mill Road in Windham could eventually become a new pocket park for Forbes Lane and Misty Drive residents. PHOTYO BY ED PIERCE |
The funding is subject to an environmental review by Cumberland County to ensure compliance with the State Historic Preservation Office, local Historic Preservation Ordinances and other environmental regulations.
Community Development Block Grants supports community development activities to build stronger and more resilient communities. Activities may address needs such as infrastructure, economic development projects, public facilities installation, community centers, housing rehabilitation, public services, clearance/acquisition, microenterprise assistance, code enforcement, and homeowner assistance.
Windham used CDBG Block Grant funding in 2020 for assistance in expanding a parking lot at 35 Main St. in South Windham to encourage economic development and recreational purposes. Through CDBG funding, Cumberland County contributed $205,295 to the project for surfaces and materials.
The site for the proposed pocket park in the Forbes Lane neighborhood is a vacant lot between adjoining neighborhoods. A pocket park is defined as a small park accessible to residents and the public which can be used for recreational purposes including picnic tables, benches, flower beds and greenery.
Councilors voted to establish a committee to research and explore the development of a pocket park in the Forbes Lane community area.
Jarrod Maxfield, Windham Town Council chair, said that committee members will recommend to the council a concept plan establishing connectivity with trails suitable for walking and biking to serve area residents and the public as well as an optional picnic pavilion, benches and recreational amenities suitably sized for the 1.33-acre land parcel.
Committee membership will be made up of up to four individuals who reside on Forbes Lane or Misty Drive, two town staff members and a Windham Town Councilor.
In voting to establish the committee, councilors mandated that town staff members would serve in an advisory capacity and not be voting members of the committee. The council also appointed Councilor Mark Morrison as the council’s representative to the Forbes Lane Misty Drive ad hoc park committee.
Members of the committee at the direction of the Council will research and explore property information to facilitate desired park amenities interconnectivity, access, and parking accommodations.
Anticipating this committee work taking up to two years, the group will make recommendations for a design concept and plan for the Forbes Lane Community Park and eventually present a concept plan for the park to the Windham Town Council. The effort satisfies a requirement by the federal government to replace recreational land which was reclaimed when RSU 14 upgraded the high school campus years ago.
If the council approves a design concept and before the park could be built, a series of public hearings to solicit public input would be held and it will also require approval from the Windham Planning Board. When and if the park is constructed, it will be overseen by the Windham Parks & Recreation Department, a town agency whose mission is to develop, operate, and maintain a park and recreation system that enriches the quality of life for residents and visitors, fosters a sense of community, and preserves and protects community open spaces. Windham’s Parks and Recreation Department currently maintains nearly 500 acres of parks and preserves for Windham residents.
The council is asking that any residents of the Forbes Lane or Misty Drive neighborhoods who are interested in serving on the ad hoc park committee to call the Windham Town Manager’s Office at 207-894-5900 and leave their name and contact information. <
The council is asking that any residents of the Forbes Lane or Misty Drive neighborhoods who are interested in serving on the ad hoc park committee to call the Windham Town Manager’s Office at 207-894-5900 and leave their name and contact information. <