Frequently Asked Questions

"What is the Skowhegan River Park?"

The Skowhegan River Park is a transformative, multi-phase project that includes:

• A whitewater park with an adjustable surf and kayak wave—the only one of its kind in the Northeast;

• A riverfront boardwalk, offering new opportunities for walking, gathering, and connecting with the river downtown;

• Accessible trails, designed for walking, biking, and connecting schools, neighborhoods, and nature.

Together, these elements will create a vibrant outdoor destination that supports year-round recreation, enhances community health, and drives sustainable economic growth in central Maine.

"Who is leading this project?"

Main Street Skowhegan, a nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing Skowhegan, is leading the river park initiative in partnership with the Town of Skowhegan—and as requested by the Skowhegan community. The river park, formerly known as Run of River, is named as a priority project in Skowhegan’s Comprehensive Plan, the Skowhegan Strategic Plan for Community Transformation, and the Kennebec Valley Region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Outdoor recreation infrastructure investment is also a top priority of the State of Maine, as outlined in the state’s Outdoor Recreation Economy Roadmap.

In recent years, Main Street Skowhegan has championed this project in several ways:

Raised $8 million to date through federal grants and donations;
Commissioned the planning, design, and engineering for infrastructure projects (whitewater park, boardwalk, and trails);
Launched the Skowhegan Outdoors AmeriCorps Program, which offer free outdoor programs, whitewater trainings, and gear. The Skowhegan Outdoors program will steward the park long-term;
Committed to operating, maintaining, and insuring the park.

"What does the lease between the Town and Main Street say?"

You can find the full lease here, or see below for a summary:

At the December 10, 2025 Special Town Meeting, residents will vote on whether the Select Board can enter into a lease agreement with Main Street Skowhegan to advance Phase 1 of the Skowhegan River Park

What The Lease Covers (Phase 1 Only)

Whitewater Park – Phase 1 includes installation of the wave shaping feature for surfing and kayaking and an access road into the river on the south side.
Boardwalk – Phase 1 includes construction of the first approximately 130 feet of the riverfront boardwalk, beginning at the walking bridge and extending west behind Key Appliance.
This approval is ONLY for Phase 1 of the project. Future phases will require separate approval.

What This Means for Taxpayers

No taxpayer dollars will be used for construction, maintenance, repairs, or operation of the Phase 1 improvements. All financial obligations are the sole responsibility of Main Street Skowhegan.

Insurance & Liability Protection

Main Street Skowhegan will maintain a $2 million liability policy and a $2 million umbrella policy, naming the Town as an additional insured. This protects taxpayers from financial risk.

Ownership of Improvements

MSS funds and builds all Phase 1 improvements and maintains them throughout the lease duration. At the end of the lease, the Town receives all improvements at no cost.

Term of the Lease

The initial lease term is 10 years, with optional renewals if agreed to by both parties. Any additional construction beyond this Phase 1 scope will require a new or amended agreement.

Environmental & Operational Responsibility

Main Street Skowhegan is responsible for federally mandated environmental permitting compliance to mitigate construction impacts. These responsibilities do not fall on the Town or taxpayers.
Main Street Skowhegan is responsible for operating the river park and will hire staff with technical experience to ensure safety of users. This will not be a function of the Town’s recreation dept.
The Skowhegan River Park Phase 1 improvements are designed to function with or without dam removal. MSS remains neutral on the issue and is committed to being part of ongoing stakeholder discussions, ensuring the project adapts responsibly to future decisions and river conditions.

Town Authority & Control

The Town retains inspection rights and full governmental authority, including regulation of events, public safety, and oversight of compliance with lease provisions.

Benefits to Skowhegan

Increased outdoor recreation options [Main Street Skowhegan will continue to offer free outdoor programs and gear through its Skowhegan Outdoors program (SkowheganOutdoors.com)]
More visitors and positive economic impact
Support for local businesses
Improved riverfront access for boating and fishing.
Long-term public infrastructure with no cost to taxpayers

"How is the river park being funded?"

The project is being funded through a combination of federal grants, philanthropic donations, and private fundraising led by Main Street Skowhegan.

Whitewater Park – Phase 1:

$4.89 million awarded from the federal Economic Development Administration (EDA)
$1 million in Town TIF funds (reserved by selectmen since 2014 for this project and committed as grant match in 2022; can’t be used for anything other than economic development)
$201,240 in match funds from Main Street Skowhegan
Additional fundraising is underway—led by Main Street Skowhegan

Riverfront Boardwalk:

$2 million federal HUD earmark secured by Senator Collins and Senator King
Approximately $1 million reserved for construction of Phase 1 (Q1 2026)
MSS will fundraise for future phases connecting downtown to the municipal building

Trails:

Trail master plan funded and completed
$25,000 used for final design (Philbrick, Heselton Street, and Lake George Trails)
Additional fundraising underway to build wide, accessible trails for families, walkers, and bikers – Main Street Skowhegan is fundraising for trails too!

"What are the phases of the project?"

Whitewater Park Phase 1 includes construction of an adjustable wave for kayaking and surfing just downstream from the walking bridge, as well as river access on the south side of the gorge.

The Boardwalk Phase 1 will construct the first 4,500 square feet of riverfront boardwalk on the north side of the gorge, adjacent to downtown, extending 130 feet west from the walking bridge toward Key Appliance.

Trail final design is still underway; enhancements to current trails and construction of new trail networks will also be phased.

"Who will operate and maintain the park?"

Main Street Skowhegan, through the Skowhegan Outdoors AmeriCorps Program, will operate and maintain the park. Our responsibilities will include:

Operating the adjustable wave;
Managing regular programming;
Hosting major paddling, surfing, and outdoor events and competitions;
Maintaining trails and riverfront features;
Ensuring access and safety for all users.

The Skowhegan Outdoors program is already building access to the outdoors and will continue to engage youth and families when the park opens.

“Is the River Park connected to the dam sale?”

No. The river park is a separate project led by Main Street Skowhegan in partnership with the Town. Funding, permitting, construction, and operations for the river park are independent from any future decisions about dams on the lower Kennebec. All phase 1 improvements are designed to function with or without dam removal. Main Street Skowhegan remains neutral on the issue and is committed to being part of ongoing stakeholder discussions, ensuring the project adapts responsibly to future decisions and river conditions.

For more information about how Brookfield will continue to operate the dams over the multi-year process of their sale to The Nature Conservancy, click here.

"What about Sappi jobs and the local economy?”

One thing we can all agree on is the fact that Sappi is VERY important to Skowhegan, the region, and the state. While dam decommissioning puts Sappi's water supply at risk, The Nature Conservancy and their partners are 100% committed to developing a solution with Sappi that fully addresses the Somerset Mill’s long-term water system needs. They understand the vital role of the Somerset Mill for the forest products industry and the local and state economies.

The river park project is separate from dam removal or Sappi's water needs; it's a project that will drive investment and tourism in the region. With the completion of phase 1 construction, the river park is projected to generate $16.6 million in annual impact, supporting 137 permanent jobs from visitor spending and park operations.

"How will the river park benefit the community?"

The Skowhegan River Park is an investment in our community’s future. Here’s what it means for you:

A stronger local economy: The river park is projected to generate $16.6 million in annual impact, supporting 137 permanent jobs in Skowhegan and the surrounding region. That’s money spent at our restaurants, shops, and lodging that helps keep downtown thriving.
Stronger property values: Homes near the riverfront have already risen in value faster than the rest of town—60% growth since 2019 compared to 34% elsewhere. The river park is expected to keep strengthening property values and attract new investment.
Opportunities for youth & families: Free outdoor programs, a gear library, and new trails will give kids and families more ways to stay active and engaged, building the skills and confidence to enjoy the outdoors close to home.
Community pride & quality of life: The river park will connect Water Street directly to the river with a new boardwalk, create safe and accessible spaces for walking, biking, and paddling, and make Skowhegan a destination people want to visit and where residents want to stay.

We’re building a place where local kids can play and explore, businesses can thrive, and athletes can surf, paddle, and compete—right here in the heart of Skowhegan.

"Will this raise my taxes or town costs?”

Under the lease agreement between Main Street Skowhegan (MSS) and the Town of Skowhegan, Main Street is fully responsible for all expenses related to Phase 1 of the Skowhegan River Park, including construction, installation, environmental compliance, insurance, maintenance, repairs, and operational costs. The lease explicitly states that the Town is not obligated to spend any tax-appropriated funds on any Phase 1 improvements.

MSS will also carry multi-million-dollar liability insurance that names the Town as an additional insured, ensuring that taxpayers are protected from financial or legal risk.

At the end of the lease, all improvements become Town-owned assets at no cost to taxpayers, creating public value without requiring public funding.

The river park will bring growth to Skowhegan and the region, with more businesses opening their doors, more jobs being created, young people seeing a future here, and families building more wealth. Growth also means we have a stronger and more diverse tax base. That way, when our community does need additional municipal services or support in the future, the responsibility will be shared by more people—not shouldered by just a few. It’s about building a thriving community together, where progress benefits everyone.

This park will help redistribute the local tax burden over time by:

Attracting new visitors, residents, and businesses;
Diversifying the local economy;
Growing the tax base through increased investment and property values.

"Where is the whitewater and what is it for?”

The goal of constructing the Skowhegan River Park is to enhance the whitewater that is currently present in the downtown river gorge to create a "park and play" destination for kayaking, surfing, paddleboarding, bodyboarding, tubing, and more.

Whitewater features in the Skowhegan gorge will be constructed downstream from the walking bridge; with the phase 1 adjustable surf/kayak wave taking up the right half of the river directly behind the municipal building (225 Water Street). The left side of the river will remain natural for tubing, paddling, and floating.

Phase 1 construction will develop new access into the gorge on the south side of the river, adjacent to the Debe River Walk and easily accessible via the walking bridge or Mount Pleasant Avenue.

This will not be a commercial rafting site; we're building a free public play wave for paddling/surfing.

For more information on specific aspects of the River Park, please explore the following links:

Whitewater
Boardwalk
Skowhegan Trail Master Plan

"Does the river's water level affect the wave?"

No. We have never expected to have dam releases for the park, so it was imperative that we plan for multiple flow scenarios. In 2019, Main Street Skowhegan's CEO Kristina Cannon traveled to Boise, Idaho, and Bend, Oregon, to check out adjustable river surf waves and determined that the Skowhegan River Park needed this functionality.

The park will use adjustable wave-shaping technology designed to create surfable features across a broad range of natural flows; it does not depend on rafting releases and is designed for consistent public use in the existing river channel.

How it works: By bolting/grouting an adjustable plate to the bedrock of the riverbed, we can remotely control—via a vegetable oil hydraulic system—the flow of the water over the structure. This creates a consistent, surfable wave. Unlike surfing in the ocean where the surfer is propelled by the force of the wave, our whitewater will allow the surfer to remain in one place relative to the riverbank while the water flows beneath them.

“What will the river look like / what about debris and mud?”

Once construction is complete, the river will look similar to how it does now, but with more whitewater that has better recreational quality.

Phase 1 will include new river access on the south side, just downstream from the walking bridge. The river park design is intended to look as natural as possible. A divider island in the middle of the river will be created to constrict water and channel it toward the new waveshaper. The divider island wall will feature rocks and sculpted concrete made to match the look and feel of the existing riverbed.

We are working within all state and federal guidelines to ensure the environmental impact on the river, its banks, and communities downstream are minimal. Because of the bedrock conditions of the gorge, sediment, mud, and debris impacts will also be very minimal.

Any future changes to dams (a separate process) would include environmental review, sediment management plans, and staged work to protect water quality and public safety. That planning is led by those parties—not by the river park—and will include community input.

“Did the public have a say?”

The Town of Skowhegan first began planning for the river park, known then as the "Run of River Project" in the early 2000s. The first public vote at a Skowhegan Town Meeting took place in 2005, with residents voting in favor of allowing the Select Board to move forward with the project. Since then, park planning elements have been voted on at town meetings several times over the years.

The river park has also been named in Skowhegan’s two most recent Comprehensive Plans and the Skowhegan Strategic Plan for Community Transformation (2106), all of which included public input and community engagement sessions. Community members have been invited to multiple public meetings, as well as a three-day design charrette in August of 2022 to provide feedback on the boardwalk.

“Will my power bill be impacted?”

The river park project is unrelated to the decommissioning of Weston Station and its dam. Electric rates are set by utilities/regulators and are not impacted by the river park.

The four affected dams will continue producing electricity for at least the next few years—possibly longer. Beyond that, the Nature Conservancy and the Kennebec River Restoration Trust will pursue new opportunities for renewable energy production and battery storage, to be phased in as the dams are decommissioned.

"How will this effect my property values?"

Research consistently shows that proximity to parks, trails, and outdoor recreation amenities tends to increase property values over time, as these assets make communities more attractive, walkable, and desirable. The 2025 Fourth Economy Impact Study provides strong local evidence of this trend in Skowhegan.

According to the study, since 2019, properties located near the Kennebec River in Skowhegan have increased in value at a faster rate than properties in other parts of town. This reflects a growing demand for river access, outdoor recreation opportunities, and proximity to vibrant public spaces. As the riverfront becomes more connected, accessible, and activated through projects like the boardwalk and the surf/kayak wave, this pattern is expected to continue.

The study also notes that high-quality outdoor recreation infrastructure—such as the Skowhegan River Park—can:

Strengthen overall housing demand
Improve neighborhood desirability
Support stable or rising long-term property values
Increase investment confidence in surrounding areas

While no project can guarantee specific increases, the data is clear:

Skowhegan properties near the river are already appreciating more quickly than others, and the river park is expected to reinforce that trend by enhancing access, aesthetics, and community activity.

"What impact will the River Park have on fish, the ecosystem, and water level?"

Phase 1 river park features were designed and fully reviewed through a multi-year federal and state permitting process to ensure they minimize harm to fish and the river ecosystem. Several state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Maine DEP, approved the project only after confirming it meets strict environmental standards. In addition, construction must follow protective measures to avoid sensitive periods and minimize disturbance.

"What is the timeline for construction?"

Whitewater Park Phase 1: Construction expected to begin in Q1 2026.
Boardwalk Phase 1: Construction expected to being in Q1 2026.
Trail Development: Final design is happening now. Fundraising and phased construction will follow.

"How can I get involved?"

You can:

Donate to support our next fundraising phase;
Volunteer with Skowhegan Outdoors or at events;
Spread the word—help your neighbors understand the opportunity ahead;
Join us at river events or outdoor programs to see the vision in action.