LIVERMORE FALLS — After more than a year of development, the Androscoggin Land Trust and the Center for Community GIS  are unveiling a new Androscoggin Greenway Map & Guide for the riverfront towns of Jay, Canton, Livermore and Livermore Falls.

The map, produced by the Androscoggin Land Trust is the first seeking to capture not only recreation and open-space resources but also community events, festivals and cultural and historic sites.

The map will make its first public appearance at the annual Livermore Falls History Night on Friday, May 27.

The four-town map was funded in part with a grant from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund and came together through an extensive public process, according to a news release issued by the Land Trust.

“This map is the first step in an ongoing initiative for the Androscoggin Land Trust to support these communities,” Jonathan P. LaBonte, the trust’s executive director said in a prepared statement. “There are already so many great assets here and we hope the map helps residents see that for themselves.”

Others involved with the grant application and creation of the map also touted it.

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“This map is a compilation of all of the wonderful things available in the area, for residents and those passing through, and if it helps give them a reason to stop, it might also give them a recent to shop and support our local businesses,” said Androscoggin Bank employee Paul Soucie, the treasurer of the Jay, Livermore and Livermore Falls Chamber of Commerce.

Fran Szostek, coordinator of the annual Frantasia Festival in Livermore Falls put it more bluntly.“It’s a map and we’re on it,” Szostek said.

Bruce Adams, owner of Group Adams Propane in downtown Livermore Falls and chair of the Chamber’s Apple Pumpkin Festival, said the map might draw existing festival attendees to visit throughout the year.

“By pulling a focus into the river towns, and its signature events, this map points to what’s happening in the area and becomes a really pro-business piece,” Adams said.

The maps will be available on Friday at Maine’s Paper and Heritage Museum at 22 Church St., home to the land trust’s Chisholm Trails satellite office.

In the coming weeks, local businesses and town halls will have copies of the map available and they can be requested via email to: info@androscogginlandtrust.org or call the Land Trust at 782-2302 to request a copy.

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