Maine’s first state park, Aroostook State Park, will hold its first celebration next week for the 75th anniversary year of the Maine state park system.
The day-long winter event will feature activities highlighting the uniqueness of the state’s oldest park, including dog-sled rides, ice-harvesting and ice-sculpting demonstrations and nature hikes, according Park Manager Scott Thompson.
As the third year for the “Take It Outside” Winter Family Fun Day, the event is expected to draw even more participants than in previous years, because of the increased interest in Maine state parks and the recognition of Aroostook’s special place in Maine’s history, Thompson said.
Calling the park “the gem of Aroostook County,” Thompson said that “there’s a lot of energy, a lot of support” for the Family Fun Day. “We’re looking forward to opening the gates and allowing people to come in and see this wonderful place,” he said.
The details of the event are:
- 10 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 20, Aroostook State Park, Presque Isle; $1.50 for adults, 12-64, children and seniors, free; lunch included.
The Maine state park system began in 1935 when the Maine Legislature appointed the first State Park Commission. In 1938, a group of local businessmen donated 100 acres to the state, which became Aroostook State Park, Maine’s first state park, in 1939. Today the park has almost 800 acres and offers numerous recreational activities.
Thompson said that interest in this year’s event has been growing steadily, with local organizations helping with the promotion of the Family Fun Day. The first year of the event had about 150 people show up; this year, it is expected to draw as many as 400. “We’re ready for it,” he said.
Park conditions are excellent for lots of outdoor activities, he said. “The sledding now is tremendous, and our ice rink is in beautiful shape,” Thompson said. The sledding hill offers a short, fast, 200-yard run out onto Echo Lake, and the ice rink has been enlarged. Because grooming began early in the season, the surface also is better, the park manager said. “Our snow in the park is the best in the state,” he added.
Three new activities have been added this year for the Family Fun Day. Dog-sled rides out on Echo Lake will be provided by Lindy Howe of Heywood Kennel in Stockholm, Thompson said. The musher is expected to bring two sleds and two dog teams, totaling 30 dogs. A $2 donation is requested.
An ice-harvesting demonstration will be presented by Matt Libby of Libby’s Camps in Ashland. In two separate sessions, Libby will show how the ice on Echo Lake can be cut and prepared, Thompson said. Libby still harvests ice regularly for camp clients, the park manager said.
In addition, local ice carver Bob Johnson of Presque Isle will work on an ice sculpture during the event. If the ice is thick enough, the sculpture could be a sled dog, a bear or a brook trout, a perfect reflection of Aroostook State Park, Thompson said.
For the first time at the park, Andy Hutchinson, park manager of Wolfe’s Neck Woods State Park in Freeport and a well-known naturalist, will offer to nature hikes to visitors. Hutchinson has been leading interpretive walks at several parks during this winter season. His topics at Aroostook will be “Animal Tracks in the Snow” and “Nature in Winter.”
Other event activities will be cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the park’s groomed trails. The Maine Winter Sports Center will provide equipment and experts to help participants try out both activities. Sledding and ice skating also will be available for lots of outdoor fun, and snowmobile tote rides will offered along a three-quarter mile trail into the park woods.
Smokey Bear also is expected to make visit to entertain younger park visitors, Thompson said.
Then, of course, there’s lunch, included in the park admission fee. Thompson said that the Spragueville Ladies Extension will make three types of soup for the hungry hordes, including chili, corn chowder, and hamburger-macaroni. Hot dogs, hamburgers, hot chocolate, coffee and water also will be provided.
The park manager said there has been a great deal of help from community volunteers and “local people with a vested interest in the park.” Thompson said he was especially grateful to the sponsors of the Family Fun Day for their support. In addition to the MWSC, they include: Hannaford-Grave’s Shop N Save; Poland Spring; Wicked Joe Coffee; Caribou Recreation Center; Haines Manufacturing Inc.; and Northern Maine Development Commission.
Thompson noted that Aroostook State Park would be the site later this year for a number of other events highlighting the 75th anniversary year. Those events include the “Take It Outside” First-Time Campers program over several weekends this summer; the Aroostook State Park Birding Festival on June 12; Fall Foliage Hikes; the Haunted Park in October; and additional nature interpretive hikes.
“More and more people are getting out and exploring what we have in Maine,” Thompson said. “Aroostook State Park is Maine’s first park and one of its premiere parks. It’s community-based, and just a beautiful setting for all kinds of outdoor family fun.”
For more information, go to: http://www.parksandlands.com
