Campaign for Greenville waterfront public park reaches 40 percent mark

GREENVILLE — Two corporate foundation grants have catapulted the Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation’s campaign for a waterfront park in downtown Greenville over the $100,000 mark. Grants totaling $10,000 from both Machias Savings Bank and the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund now bring the campaign total to $111,000 on the way toward the $250,000 fundraising goal.

“Machias Savings Bank prides itself in supporting the community, especially when it involves such a worthy cause,” said Melissa Moffett Denbow, vice president for corporate giving and community relations. Ann Leyva, manager of the Weyerhaeuser Giving Fund, acknowledged the efforts of the local giving fund advisory committee and noted that its “recommendation was instrumental in securing this grant” for our project.

Photo courtesy of Heidi St. Jean
WATERFRONT PARK CAMPAIGN — Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development CorporationPresident Steve Levesque marks the downtown waterfront park campaign’s $100,000 milestone, about 40 percent of the way toward the $250,000 goal for the parcel in Greenville.

Dozens of individuals also have made gifts to the campaign ranging from $100 to $10,000 since the campaign kick-off in August. Steve Levesque, Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation president, noted, “I have been really pleased, but not surprised, by the generosity of local businesses and people who have seen value is setting aside a key parcel of lakefront property for public access to Moosehead Lake. Once again the community has come together and moved us closer to achieving our fundraising goal.”

The Moosehead Lake Region Economic Development Corporation has an option agreement with E.J. Richardson and his family to purchase the property at 3 Lakeview Street to conserve it in perpetuity as a public park. The park will include a new dock system guaranteeing public access to the lake and from the lake to downtown for seaplanes, boats, canoes, kayaks and snowmobiles. The park also will provide an important connection to walking trails that will rim the East Cove of the lake. Further, it will provide common public space for residents and visitors to meet and to enjoy musical performances, arts and crafts events and community celebrations.

For more information on how to participate in the campaign, contact Margarita Contreni at westcove@myfairpoint.net or Heidi St. Jean at admin@mooseheadlakeedc.com.