River parks are proven tools for community development, as evidenced by dozens of river parks around the country. River revitalization projects in downtowns and urban corridors have positively impacted communities by improving river health, connecting people to nature through outdoor recreation, and creating economic prosperity by attracting tourists, businesses, and new residents.
River parks help build and support sustainable and prosperous local economies by attracting tourists and river recreationalists; improving the livability and access to water activities for local citizens, retaining residents and businesses; creating signature whitewater waves that promote communities as destinations and attract new residents and entrepreneurs to live, work, and play.
Skowhegan plans to tap into this potential by developing a river park in our downtown Kennebec gorge—a community asset that has been overlooked for years and is largely inaccessible due to steep, rocky banks. Residents not only support the river park plan—proven by the project’s popularity during a community-wide strategic planning process—but they are also excited to see it transform central Maine into a place where residents are proud to live and visitors never want to leave.
We live in a beautiful, rural region that brims with potential but struggles with poverty and poor-health rates. Development of Maine’s first river park will help turn this crisis around and ensure that we will achieve our brightest future.
