JAY – The Board of Selectpersons moved unanimously to pursue the long-term leasing of approximately 10 acres of land near the Androscoggin River Monday, through a no-cost agreement with a land trust.
The French Falls Recreation Area is a popular open space, located between Route 4 and the river, which includes a ball field, picnic tables and, in the winter, an ice skating rink. It also provides access points to walking trails in the nearby woods. The Androscoggin Land Trust acquired the property from Verso Paper last year and had expressed an interest in continuing to provide the space for local residents’ use through an agreement with the town.
Monday, Androscoggin Land Trust Executive Director Michael Auger appeared before the board to present a proposal to lease the property to the town at no cost. The trust would also provide the legal services to draw up the lease, Auger noted.
“Our interest is to continue having what’s been going on there, continue,” he said Monday. He went on to say that hiking, boating and other outdoor activities were in keeping with the land trust’s work to secure boat landings and improve the inter-town Whistle Stop Trail.
“Preserving this area for recreation fits in with the other thing we’re trying to do here,” Auger said.
The lease would include use of the roughly 10 acres of open field and associated parking amenities at French Falls.
Selectperson Tom Goding asked about whether the lease would permit structures, such as a gazebo or playground equipment, while Board Chair Steve McCourt asked about providing access to the Androscoggin River. Auger said that he would take any ideas back to the land trust’s board, but that the point was to provide a recreation space for the town.
The board moved unanimously to pursue the drawing up of a lease, for further consideration.
I really hope this deal develops the French Falls Park. It is a really nice area with a lot of potential. If you really think about it, there is nothing to do in this town unless you own a snowmobile or ATV and can use those trails. If you have no interest in that, tough luck. My vision for this area is to build a playground, tennis court, basketball court, runner/walker only trail along the river with picnic tables and places to sit. It would also be nice if someone maintained the area and not let it go to waste like many of the so called “parks” in the area. It is too bad that the RSU won’t put any money in the tennis courts on their property and unless we get an entirely new school board, I don’t see that happening in the near future.
Lived in the Livermore/Jay area all my life, and had never heard about this park. Obviously I’m out of the loop, and some major advertising needs to be be done so the rest of the community is aware.
~Kerry~
Kerry, as I said in my comment above, unless you are a ATV rider I’m not surprised you haven’t heard of it. Besides those trails, there is a baseball field, but I don’t think AYS uses it, or anyone really uses it to be honest. There are no picnic tables or paths to the river, there is nothing there is that is why not a lot of people have heard about it.
Thanks for the info Rob.