Greetings from Skowhegan!

With lots of great things happening and momentum building, we thought it was due time for us to start sharing regular updates about Skowhegan’s vision for community transformation through outdoor recreation. This vision consists of two major initiatives: the Run of River Whitewater Recreation Area and the Skowhegan AmeriCorps Outdoor Recreation Program. This is the first installment of many forthcoming updates, so be sure to check back monthly. Or consider joining the email list so you’ll get news delivered directly to your inbox.

This post will be a bit longer than future updates, since I want to bring everyone up to speed with where things stand now, in addition to sharing recent updates and successes.

Run of River Whitewater Recreation Area Update

Drum roll please … we have fantastic news to share!

Run of River was just awarded $24,090 from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund and $10,000 from the Davis Conservation Foundation! We are so thrilled and can’t thank the commission at MOHF and the Davis Conservation Foundation enough for their support of this project. In fact, this is the second Run of River grant from the Davis Conservation Foundation – they awarded $15,000 to Run of River back in 2017, which helped start the ball rolling again with the project.

These recent grant awards bring the total raised in 2019 up to $65,090 (we received a generous anonymous $31,000 donation back in February), and increases the total raised in the last year to $158,090.

We have several hundred thousand dollars in other grants pending, so fingers crossed that we have more good news to announce in the near future.

Now let’s back up a bit, and I’ll put things in perspective.

Here’s where things stand with Run of River (yes, things are happening!):

1. We have a goal of constructing at least features 1 and 2 (two most up-river features nearest downtown) in the summer of 2021. This timing coincides with the installation of a new fish lift at Weston Dam, and thus the water will be lower in the gorge. Because we have to do construction in the dry, it’s important to have the river as low as possible.
2. Next steps for the project (in addition to fundraising) are: gather final data in the gorge and create 3D models using that data. We also need to work on a constructability plan – how we plan to keep the water at bay when we get in to the river to construct the features. Once we have the models and constructability plan ready for prime time, we’ll submit them to permitting agencies (federal and state) along with permit applications. Permitting is expected to take one to two years.
3. In January, we convened a group of Run of River Ambassadors. We’ve now met twice (once in January and once in May). This group is knowledgeable about the project and where things stand with Run of River and the Skowhegan AmeriCorps Outdoor Recreation Program, and they’re able to share this info with others. We hope that by increasing awareness, we can increase support and eventually funding.

Skowhegan AmeriCorps Outdoor Recreation Program Update

As of this week, the Skowhegan AmeriCorps Outdoor Recreation Program is in full swing! Thanks to our partnership with the Outdoor Sport Institute (OSI) and to funding from AmeriCorps, Main Street Skowhegan has a plan for getting people outside and active (for free!), AND we have people to implement that plan.

Since this past fall, Main Street Skowhegan and our Skowhegan OSI Team have done the following:

• Completed the outdoor recreation action plan for Skowhegan
• Were awarded AmeriCorps funding to enroll three members to implement the action plan (now called the Skowhegan AmeriCorps Outdoor Recreation Program)
• Were awarded $1,500 from Sappi to run the AmeriCorps program (thanks, Sappi!)
• Enrolled three AmeriCorps Members – Outdoor Recreation Coaches. Last week was their first full week!
• Started implementation of the program – FREE outdoor recreation programming for the community began June 3! You can find this week’s schedule here.

Opportunities to Get Involved

Want to join the outdoor recreation movement in Skowhegan? We have a number of ways you can take part:

1. Join us for free outdoor activities! Check out the schedule here.
2. Volunteer to run a free outdoor program for the community (email me at Kristina@mainstreetskowhegan.org).
3. Join us on Friday, June 21, for Pickup, Paddle, and Pizza – an event we’re coordinating in partnership with the United Way of Mid-Maine. We’ll be gathering at 2 p.m. to clean up the river and trails in downtown Skowhegan. Then we’ll enjoy a fun paddle down through the gorge and a social hour (with pizza!) at the Miller’s Table. Check out the Facebook event here.
4. If you want to support Skowhegan’s community transformation through outdoor recreation initiatives via a monetary donation, you can do that by clicking the links below:

Donate to support the Run of River Whitewater Recreation Area
Donate to support the Skowhegan AmeriCorps Outdoor Recreation Program

Enjoy the sunshine!
Kristina

Kristina Cannon
Executive Director, Main Street Skowhegan
Run of River Committee