Chuck is absolutely right and has already presented you with some good documents to review. Take a look at Reno, NV for an excellent example of a successful whitewater park. http://www.reno.gov/Index.aspx?page=311
The mayor of Reno was quoted saying that the city took a 180 after the whitewater park revitalized downtown with amphitheaters, green space and new riverfront for restaurants and shops.
Maine is a mecca for outdoor recreation and whitewater parks should be highly considered. There are many boaters in the area that would take advantage of such a park. Please consider!
At the Androscoggin Greenway meeting a few weeks ago, we talked about “low hanging fruit,” Things that can be done sooner, with a bit less investment.
Right now, I think that fruit can be found at the riverfront:
– Complete the Riverwalk by creating a clear, signed path from the Lewiston side of Longley Bridge to the path in Simard-Payne Park. This is only a couple hundred feet, between Yvonne’s Car Wash and the river, currently blocked by a guardrail.
– Improve Lewiston’s visual access to the river by clearing out underbrush between Longley Bridge and the pedestrian bridge.
– Provide carry-in boat access to the river from Simard-Payne Park, near the pedestrian bridge.
Charge ahead with the plans for the mills and canals — definitely. Many of the suggestions in this forum sound excellent. But shouldn’t we be able to scrape together the funds to do these few things by the time the 2012 Balloon Festival rolls around? Give the visitors something to see — progress at the river.
I absolutely love the idea of night lights on the falls, we locals don’t realize just how lovely these are, we tend to take them for granted. Beyond that are still several eyesores that need to be addressed, but first and foremost is somehow making Bldg #5 the draw this area needs, convention center, casino, whatever, hell most likely room for both.
Combine that draw with a complete transportation system, of planes trains and automobiles based at the exsisting airport now you’re starting to get close to a seld supporting plan.
Chuck is absolutely right and has already presented you with some good documents to review. Take a look at Reno, NV for an excellent example of a successful whitewater park. http://www.reno.gov/Index.aspx?page=311
The mayor of Reno was quoted saying that the city took a 180 after the whitewater park revitalized downtown with amphitheaters, green space and new riverfront for restaurants and shops.
Maine is a mecca for outdoor recreation and whitewater parks should be highly considered. There are many boaters in the area that would take advantage of such a park. Please consider!
There should be serious consideration about incorporating whitewater features to the canal system.
Run of River Feasibility Report(Skowhegan):
http://news.phdcon.com/UserFiles/15/file/001-Feasibility%20Report%20no%20flowchart.pdf
Economic impact:
http://www.s2odesign.net/getting-started/in-stream-parks/impacts/
http://www.americanwhitewater.org/content/Wiki/stewardship:recreation_economics
At the Androscoggin Greenway meeting a few weeks ago, we talked about “low hanging fruit,” Things that can be done sooner, with a bit less investment.
Right now, I think that fruit can be found at the riverfront:
– Complete the Riverwalk by creating a clear, signed path from the Lewiston side of Longley Bridge to the path in Simard-Payne Park. This is only a couple hundred feet, between Yvonne’s Car Wash and the river, currently blocked by a guardrail.
– Improve Lewiston’s visual access to the river by clearing out underbrush between Longley Bridge and the pedestrian bridge.
– Provide carry-in boat access to the river from Simard-Payne Park, near the pedestrian bridge.
Charge ahead with the plans for the mills and canals — definitely. Many of the suggestions in this forum sound excellent. But shouldn’t we be able to scrape together the funds to do these few things by the time the 2012 Balloon Festival rolls around? Give the visitors something to see — progress at the river.
– David Egley, resident of Downtown Lewiston
I absolutely love the idea of night lights on the falls, we locals don’t realize just how lovely these are, we tend to take them for granted. Beyond that are still several eyesores that need to be addressed, but first and foremost is somehow making Bldg #5 the draw this area needs, convention center, casino, whatever, hell most likely room for both.
Combine that draw with a complete transportation system, of planes trains and automobiles based at the exsisting airport now you’re starting to get close to a seld supporting plan.