Winter storms will change summer experience for some state park visitors

By Julie Harris, Bangor Daily News Staff

Visits to some of Maine’s popular state parks and historic sites may not be what you remember, thanks to damage from the major storms in December and January that devastated the state’s landscape.

Severe beach erosion and destruction of structures were common on the coast, and volunteers and others who maintain the state’s extensive trail system are still clearing downed trees, repairing washouts and removing debris.

But even while the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands oversees repairs and restoration projects, attendance in the state’s parks is up 30 percent from last year at this time, thanks to the mild spring, according to Andy Cutko, director of the bureau that is part of the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry.

“We had a good turnout on Eclipse Day. There were more than 200 people at the top of Bald Mountain alone,” Cutko said.

Others that saw good numbers included Lily Bay and Mount Blue state parks, he said.

He doesn’t expect visitors to be deterred during the regular summer season, even though there will be construction at a couple of parks and there are environmental changes at others.

Sebago State Park campground won’t open until May 20. Workers are installing a new septic system and paving the parking areas, using $50 million in Maine Jobs and Recovery Plan money the state obtained through the American Rescue Plan Act. 

Debris and damaged trees from the winter storms are being removed as well. The day use area at 11 Park Access Road in Casco will be open from 9 a.m. until sunset, although visitors may experience delays because of the paving project.

A new entrance booth is going in at Reid State Park in Georgetown, also using the ARPA funds. The ARPA money has to be dedicated by the end of this year or the state loses it. The projects don’t have to be completed by then.

The Songo Lock Drawbridge in Naples will stay closed until May 11 because of high water levels and the number of trees blocking the Songo River, according to the Maine Department of Transportation. The drawbridge, which allows boats to pass under State Park Road, usually opens on May 1.

There was significant storm damage at the Eagle Island and Colonial Pemaquid historical sites and Fort Point State Park, Cutko said.

Eagle Island, which is off the coast of Harpswell, is closed this season because the January nor’easters destroyed the pier and eroded the shore in front of the house. It will take time and money to repair them, but until then, no sail or power boats from the visiting public can dock there, he said.

Colonial Pemaquid lost a landmark restaurant. The Contented Sole’s historic building was destroyed in the storms, but the eatery has since relocated to New Harbor.

Popham Beach also took a big hit from the weather. Sand dunes and the beach were heavily damaged and restoration efforts underway include dozens of discarded Christmas trees placed in the hard-hit area to catch sand and reform the structure. 

Sand is already collecting in the trees, but there is very little beach right now at high tide, Cutko said.

One of the most significant environmental changes at Popham is that the Morse River has shifted its course, and people can no longer safely walk out to Fox Island. Even at low tide, there is water flowing swiftly through the pathway, he said.

People have been taking that walk for decades, and it will be missed, he said. There was also a note of caution for people.

“We, like many pools and beaches across the country, are struggling to find lifeguards. Several swimming areas in our parks could be ‘swim at your own risk’ because of it,” Cutko said.

Many of the inland parks and trails are open, although they saw significant damage in the December storm. Parts of Downeast Sunrise Trail are closed due to wave damage, he said, and the rails trails are a mess with washouts and trees down.

“The Dec. 18 storm seemed to have the most impact inland and the Jan. 10 and 13 storms had coastal impact,” he said.

Regardless of what storm damaged where, cleanup and repairs will be costly and he hopes voters pass the November bond for $30 million that would help with all trails in the state, including ATV, snowmobile, hiking and others, he said.