JAY — The town’s Recreation Committee will hold a workday from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 17, to reinvigorate the French Falls Park and seek input on possible future uses for the park.
The park is at the end of French Falls Lane, which runs beside the Knights of Columbus Hall and is directly across from the road to Spruce Mountain high and middle schools.
The public is invited to come help with the workday and provide input for future public use.
French Falls Park has been available for public use for some time.
Jay entered into a 40-year lease agreement in May with the Androscoggin Land Trust for about 10 acres, including a ball field, parking area and a skating rink. The lease is for $1 a year.
The Recreation Committee began work during the summer to analyze the current status of French Falls Park and plan for its future use.
The committee found the park is in need of work and, after consulting with the land trust, has planned a number of projects for the workday Saturday. These include clearing and stabilizing River Walk Trail, cleaning out the skating rink’s warming hut building, clearing brush and debris from the skating rink site, removing the plastic fencing from around the softball field in preparation for putting up a new fence next spring, repairing the outfield fence posts and cables as needed and removing trash.
There will be maps and aerial photos of the property available so people can see the property and provide ideas for things they would like to see done there. Current uses of the property include men’s league softball, Area Youth Sports, trailer parking for accessing the Whistle Stop Trail for all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles and geocaching.
To see a video slideshow of the current status of French Falls Park, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0e6vroxY22g.
Those planning to participate in the workday are asked to arrive at 8 a.m. and be dressed to work outside. Long pants and sleeves, closed-toed shoes, work gloves and insect repellent are recommended. For more information, contact Town Manager Shiloh LaFreniere at 207-897-6785 or via email at jmanager@jay-maine.org.
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