Tinker Preserve and the Story Book Walk project: This project was proposed to my department in February of 2015. Ethan Hunt, the Eagle Scout candidate, is the YHS Junior working toward this project alongside YCS, the Yarmouth Parks and Lands Committee (PLC), RRCT, The Nature Conservancy, and the School Department. This project was one of on a list to be completed within town (via the YCS dept and the PLC) between 2013-2018. This type of project is a great way to get people into open spaces and introduce new users to the outdoors. Tinker Preserve was noted as the best suited location in regards to safety, the less challenging terrain, convenient parking, low traffic, and it is a parcel identified and donated for educational intentions.

This project has been guided and overseen by Kyle Warren (under the direction of YCS and the Parks and Lands Committee) and myself. As you can see, sample pictures from the Portland Story Walk are attached. The posts are angle cut, 6”x6” PT posts that will be installed in concrete to minimize vandalism. The Story Book panels are 20”x24” that are set upon the angle cut, approximately 37” from the ground. There will be a modest Story Walk entrance sign welcoming people to the pathway from the parking lot, and 14-16 posts along the walk (to accommodate for the number of pages in the story).

We applied the following process to ensure compatibility for this property: Together, Ethan and Kyle proposed this project to the Parks and Lands Committee for their support. Once granted unanimously, we reached out to The Nature Conservancy to verify that we would not violate any deed restrictions. In early March 2015, the Director of Stewardship and Ecological Management, Nancy Sferra, confirmed that “this project is consistent with the conservation intent of the property.”

On Thursday, March 26, 2015, we then received endorsement at the Yarmouth School Committee meeting, as stated in the deed where, “Modifying the property to conform to a desired educational use shall be subject to the discretion of the ‘Superintending School Committee’ of the town of Yarmouth.”

This young man has worked hard to fund his project with private donations, obtain copyright permissions to use “Over in the Meadow” by Ezra Jack Keats, verify the design, and conform this project to be an exact replica to other Story Walks in Maine. This will enable all of our “peer towns” to share the stories over the next few years to keep this project revolving through and providing a destination for excited readers, families, and the newest generation of outdoor enthusiasts.

I certainly hope that this project is not further delayed. He has worked for many months to follow protocols and move this project along. Installation was set for September 3-5 and is currently halted.

Beginning again over September 23-25, we will encourage Ethan to move ahead with his project if we do not hear any additional comments.

The project has been requested to be postponed until after the meeting on October 5th.

Camp SOCI: Camp SOCI parking concerns were discussed in early June and better attempts were made this year to work with those residents who live at Sandy Point Road. In regards to summer camps held at Camp SOCI, there were 172 campers who participated in one of the nine weeks of summer camp. Ten different groups used the facility for events like family reunions, birthday parties, and education sessions (Scouts, etc). There were 8 nights of camp outs by the Maine Conservation Corps who work on our town paths/trails, and parks during that time period (2 weeks of Mon thru Thurs), NYA uses the building one night for a back-to-school science overnight in early September, and this coming Saturday is our 3rd Annual Family Camp Out.

Other information: For any residents interested in meeting with the Parks and Lands Committee to discuss the Tinker Preserve, the committee has the property listed as the first item on their agenda for Wednesday, October 5th at the Town Hall Community Room. These meetings begin at 6pm. Over the last year, we received complaints regarding invasive species, illegal dumping and bike tracks within the property. Also, this property is set for some trail/path upgrades during this fiscal year (before June 2017). The PLC will focus on these four topics, but is also open to hearing other comments regarding Tinker Preserve.

Posted in Preserve 9/21/16

TOWN MEETING

PARKS & LANDS COMMITTEE

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5TH 6:00PM

TOWN HALL COMMUNITY ROOM

TINKER PRESERVE

For any residents interested in meeting with the Parks and Lands Committee to discuss the Tinker Preserve, the committee has the property listed as the first item on their agenda for Wednesday, October 5th at the Town Hall Community Room. These meetings begin at 6pm. Over the last year, we received complaints regarding invasive species, illegal dumping and bike tracks within the property. Also, this property is set for some trail/path upgrades during this fiscal year (before June 2017). The PLC will focus on these four topics, but is also open to hearing other comments regarding Tinker Preserve.

Tinker Preserve and the Story Book Walk project: This project was proposed to the Yarmouth Community Services department in February of 2015. Ethan Hunt, the Eagle Scout candidate, is the YHS Junior working toward this project alongside YCS, the Yarmouth Parks and Lands Committee (PLC), RRCT, The Nature Conservancy, and the School Department. This project was one of on a list to be completed within town (via the YCS dept and the PLC) between 2013-2018. This type of project is a great way to get people into open spaces and introduce new users to the outdoors. Tinker Preserve was noted as the best suited location in regards to safety, the less challenging terrain, convenient parking, low traffic, and it is a parcel identified and donated for educational intentions.

The Cousins & Little John Islands Improvement Association has requested that further work on the project be postponed until after the meeting on October 5th.

For more information visit:

Susie Kendeigh

President, Cousins & Little Islands Improvement Association 207-653-4412