Community members, project partners, elected officials, and supporters recently gathered along the Kennebec River to celebrate a major milestone for the Skowhegan River Park: the start of construction on its new riverfront boardwalk.
The groundbreaking marks the beginning of a long-awaited transformation of Skowhegan’s riverfront and represents years of planning, fundraising, partnership, and community support led by Main Street Skowhegan and its collaborators.
Main Street Skowhegan President & CEO Kristina Cannon welcomed attendees and reflected on the work that has brought the project from an ambitious idea to construction. The event also featured remarks from U.S. Senator Angus King and Jessica Pelletier, senior grants manager for the New Balance Foundation, along with other project supporters and community leaders.
The New Balance Foundation has made a $1 million commitment to the project, resulting in the naming of the New Balance Foundation Boardwalk and Basecamp Gear Library. The investment supports Main Street Skowhegan’s larger vision of creating greater access to the Kennebec River while expanding opportunities for outdoor recreation and community connection.
Construction of the first phase of the boardwalk is now underway. The approximately 4,187-square-foot, ADA-accessible riverfront boardwalk will create a new public space along the Kennebec and serve as a key component of the future Skowhegan River Park.
But the project is about more than recreation.
The River Park is envisioned as an investment in Skowhegan’s long-term economic future, creating a destination that can attract visitors, support existing businesses, encourage new investment, and strengthen connections between the river and the Water Street commercial area. Once fully developed, the River Park is projected to generate approximately $16.6 million in annual economic impact and support 137 permanent jobs.
The groundbreaking ceremony offered an opportunity to recognize the many organizations, funders, public officials, businesses, and community members who have helped move the project forward, while also looking ahead to the work still to come.
Construction on the first phase of the boardwalk is expected to continue through 2026, with a second phase planned for 2027.
The groundbreaking is one step in a much larger vision, but it is a significant one: after years of planning, Skowhegan’s riverfront transformation is becoming a reality.
Learn more about the Skowhegan River Park and follow construction progress at SkowheganRiverPark.com.
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