The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously on January 11, 2022 to designate $400,000.00 from the Run of River Reserve Account to be utilized for construction design and permitting. They also voted to utilize $1,021,161.00 as match for the Economic Development Administration, Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Grant.
“A motion was made by Charles Robbins and seconded by Paul York to designate $400,000.00 from the Run of River (Skowhegan River Park) Reserve Account to be utilized for construction design and permitting. Vote: 5/0”
“A motion was made by Paul York and seconded by Charles Robbins to allow Jeff Hewett to apply for the Economic Development Administration, Travel, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Grant in the amount of $4,889,600.00 for Run of River (Skowhegan River Park) construction. The remaining $1,021,161.00 from the Run of River Reserve Account and $201,240.00 from Main Street will be used as match. Vote: 5/0”
https://runofriver.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Town-Match-Letter-EDA-2022-signed.pdf
The Skowhegan River Park will include wave features in the heart of downtown for whitewater paddling, surfing, bodyboarding, standup paddle boarding, and tubing. The park will be an ideal location to host whitewater festivals and competitions.
Access to the river will encourage outdoor recreation among locals and visitors alike, getting more people outside and active. The more time spent recreating in nature, the healthier our community members will be.
The river park will be open to everyone—free of charge. From tubers who want a leisurely float, to beginners who want to learn whitewater boating, surfing or river boarding, to experts who want the convenience of park-and-play, the Skowhegan River Park will make the river accessible to all.
Located at the middle rapid behind the municipal building (225 Water St), the second wave feature will be ideal for river surfing on a surf board or SUP and for green-wave kayaking.
The first wave feature, located just downriver from the walking bridge in downtown Skowhegan, will be ideal for kayaking and river boarding.
Our river park will be a great venue for hosting major paddling competitions and whitewater festivals that will draw paddlers and surfers from all over the country to our little town.
Through Main Street Skowhegan’s free outdoor trainings and programs and their growing gear library, locals will be able to borrow outdoor gear—boats, SUPs, tubes, river boards, paddles, PFDs, helmets, and more—and learn how to make the most of the river park.
To ensure community members and visitors can easily access the natural channel on river left, stairs will be constructed from downtown to the water’s edge.
An ADA ramp will be constructed on the south river bank, providing improved access from Debe River Walk switchback directly to the whitewater wave features.