Lincolnville Comprehensive Plan
Inventory: Recreational Resources
INTRODUCTION

Lincolnville is blessed with a variety of recreational resources. In addition, the surrounding communities from Belfast to Rockland provide unique settings in which residents of Lincolnville can pursue their recreational interests. Recreational resources for the citizens of Lincolnville can be divided into three main categories: (1) Physical resources within the town of Lincolnville. These include man-made facilities such as the ballfield behind the school and natural areas such as Tanglewood 4-H Camp. (2) Recreational support groups within the town including the Recreation Commission, Little League, Snowmobile Club, Community Center Board of Directors, and a variety of other groups who support recreation in Lincolnville. (3) Finally, in assessing the recreational needs of the citizens of Lincolnville, it is important to inventory those regional facilities that serve the recreational needs of Lincolnville residents.

INVENTORY OF RECREATIONAL FACILITIES WITHIN LINCOLNVILLE

Salt Water Facilities: Although possessing a relatively short coastline, Lincolnville has two public areas where residents may recreate in a salt water environment. These areas, although included in the recreational inventory of the town, will be dis-cussed more thoroughly in the Marine Resources section of this plan.

Lincolnville Beach: The public beach area consists of a stone and sand beach 177 feet long draining out to flats at low tide. There is parking for 75 to 100 vehicles in a lot shared with the Lobster Pound Restaurant. The summer of 1991 saw the completion of the new fish pier, the resurfacing of the launching ramp and the States acquisition of the Hemenway property, now referred to as ‘State Beach’. These improvements should provide greater access to the waters of Penobscot Bay for both recreational and commercial boaters. The nearby State ferry terminal provides a popular place for mackerel jigging.

Note: Please refer to The Marine Resources Inventory for more Information.

Ducktrap: Located approximately one mile north of Lincolnville Beach, the Ducktrap provides a tranquil spot for family picnics and outings. The beach area, which is owned by the State, consists almost entirely of stone. The area provides an opportunity for swimming, fishing and shellfishing. During the spawning season, the Ducktrap River provides a run of Atlantic sea-run salmon for fly fishing. A very informal parking area can accommodate eight-ten cars.

Fresh Water Facilities:

Lincolnville has an abundance of ponds and lakes. Within the town boundaries are Coleman, Norton and Moody Ponds. Lincolnville shares Pitcher and Levenseller Ponds with Northport and Searsmont, respectively. The waters of Megunticook Lake are shared with Camden and Hope. These lakes and ponds provide a variety of recreational opportunities to the residents of Lincolnville.

Norton Pond Recreation Area: This recreation area, adjacent to Lincolnville Center, contains approximately 146 feet of frontage on the pond. The area is used as a swimming beach. There are three picnic tables but no cookout pits. A simple boat ramp provides boating access to the pond. Parking is available for approximately six vehicles along the edge of the gravel loop.

Levenseller Pond Although not an official recreation area, the turn outs along Route 173 provide popular access to this pond. There are no picnic tables, cookout pits or other facilities. Approximately six cars can be parked at each turnout.

School Facilities:

Cafetorium: This facility, which serves as a cafeteria, an auditorium, and a gym, is a rectangle with dimensions of approximately 90 feet x 80 feet. It has a 10.5 feet ceiling and a linoleum floor. This facility is inadequate as a gym, although it is the only school space currently available for such use.

Soccer Field: This grass field lies adjacent to the Lincolnville Central School. It is approximately 50 yards wide by 95 yards long. The goal posts are site built of wood construction.

Baseball Field: This field, located behind the School, has a wooden back-stop, bleachers and dugouts. Left-field space is shared with the second soccer field.

Second Soccer Field: This field, located behind the School, is approxi-mately 105 yards long by 58 yards wide. It has regulation goal posts and nets.

Creative Playground: Located adjacent to the School, this facility was constructed by a community group in 1989 and contains a variety of slides, walkways, climbing horses, see-saws and gymnastic equipment set in a bed of crushed stone.

Outdoor Basketball Court: The surface of this court is rough asphalt. The court contains two hoops of regulation height.

Other Recreation Facilities

Lincolnville Center Community Building The Lincolnville Center Community Building is operated by a non-profit corporation of townspeople to serve the recreational and social needs of the people of Lincolnville. The structure is wood framed and has a linoleum floor. The basement has kitchen facilities that can be used for community suppers. Over the years, the Community Center has been the scene of a wide variety of cultural and athletic events. However, there are no locker, changing, or shower facilities. The facility is realistically usable only for basketball. The structure was never designed for the indoor practice of vollyball, soccer or softball.

Note: Please refer to the Public Facilities Inventory for Information
on the Lincolnville Improvement Association.

Tanglewood: Lincolnville is fortunate to have within its borders special places to learn, reflect and relax in natural settings. This environment provides a unique setting for such outdoor activities as cross country skiing and hiking. Tanglewood is a large tract of land, located on the southwest side of Ducktrap River, containing approximately 850 acres. The land is owned by the State Dept. of Conservation and leased to Tanglewood, the 4-H camp. This camp is sponsored by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension Service and directed by the Tanglewood 4-H Associates. Since 1982, a variety of programs has been developed to encourage an appreciation of our natural world. The recreational facilities of the camp include the following:

• Hiking and Cross Country Ski Trails: There are approximately 10 miles of trails maintained for this purpose.
• Snowmobile Trails: Part of the Lincolnville snowmobile trail system goes through Tanglewood.
• Playing Field: Tanglewood has a grass playing field and old asphalt surfaced basketball court.

Camden Hills State Park: This facility, managed by the Bureau of Parks and Recreation, contains 5,532 acres within the towns of Lincolnville and Camden. It is open to the public for camping, picnicking, hiking and hunting.

Fernalds’ Neck Nature Conservancy Preserve: The Fernalds’ Neck Preserve and the nearby Hattie Lamb Fernald Preserve contain almost 200 acres of land owned by The Nature Conservancy. This land contains a number of unique habitats and is open to the public.

Many private land owners continue to allow traditional public access and use of their properties (for hunting, fishing, walking, hiking trails).

RECREATIONAL SUPPORT GROUPS AND OTHER INFORMATION

In addition to physical facilities, a town needs a fabric of organizations to help weave together the recreational needs of the community. Physical facilities, in and of themselves, do not totally meet the recreational needs of town. Municipal committees and organizations, devoted to recreational activities, play a very large role in the success of recreational programs within a community.

Recreation Committee: The mandate of this Committee, as outlined in the Town Charter, is to advise the municipal officers on matters of recreation and supervise town recreation programs.

Boy Scouts/Cub Scouts The Lincolnville Cub Scouts have an average of 30 boys participating from ages seven-eleven. Group meetings are held monthly in the Center Community Building. Cub Scout sub-groups use the Building twice a month. The Cub Scouts also use Norton’s Pond, Tanglewood and Lincolnville Beach for hiking, camping and picnics.

Little League: The Lincolnville Little League Team has traditionally played in the Knox Suburban League, which is open to all children between the ages of nine and twelve. The managers, coaches and umpires are all volunteers, often they are the parents of children who participate in this program. Each team is supported through local fund drives, sponsorship and donations.

Mountain Goats Snowmobile Club: This Club presently provides a recre-ational outlet to 16 Lincolnville families. The Club maintains 30 miles of trails in Lincolnville that are connected to a network of trails in surrounding communities. Through fund raising, the club provides a scholarship to a deserving Lincolnville high school senior and it also supports the Pine Tree Camp for Crippled Children. Snowmobile registration in Lincolnville has fluctuated widely from 40 in 1987 to 128 in 1991. By way of comparison, eight all-terrain vehicles were registered in 1987 and 36 in 1991.

Boat Registration: More than 350 boats are licensed in Lincolnville annually. Of the total, 190 are used exclusively in fresh water, 50 are used exclusively in salt water and 120 are moved back and forth. Many of these boats are trailered and used in waters throughout the State.

The excise tax on boats is retained by the town. In recent years, collections have varied between $3,500 and $4,500 annually. The tax is based on the boat’s age, length and horsepower rating. Of the total, only 18 boats are used commercially, the rest for pleasure.

Hunting and Fishing Registrations: Many Lincolnville residents are active outdoor enthusiasts. In 1981, 528 licenses were issued for hunting and fishing in a variety of combinations. During the last 11 years, hunting and fishing licenses have averaged 513 per year. Although the 1991 total for the same categories dropped to 453 licenses, this should probably be viewed as a seasonal fluctuation.

REGIONAL FACILITY:

The Mid-Coast region presents numerous opportunities for recreation. In assessing the recreational needs of Lincolnville residents, it is important to consider the regional resources available. Listed below is a sampling of some of the more popular recreational resources in this region.

Belfast: Belfast has a large, well maintained public park containing a ballfield, two tennis courts, a swimming pool and a creative playground for children. Belfast Harbor provides mooring and marina facilities for the boater. Belfast also has an excellent YMCA program.

Camden: Camden has a staffed Recreation Department which provides a variety of recreational programs for area children. The Ragged Mountain Recreation Area has two tennis courts, a ballfield, slopes for downhill skiing, and a toboggan chute. The ski area maintains a certified ski school, two T bars and a chairlift. Bog Bridge on Route 105 and Barrett’s Cove on Route 52 have public landings for boat access to Megunticook Lake. Camden Harbor has extensive boating and marina facilities including a public launch ramp. The Camden Area YMCA has a gym, swimming pool, a ten-pin bowling alley and other health facilities. It offers a wide range of programs to children and adults of Mid-Coast communities, including Lincolnville. The Bok Amphitheater, llbrary, and opera house all provide venues for cultural activities. Laite Beach is a saltwater beach.

Rockport: Rockport has boating facilities, including a public launching ramp, two golf courses, an opera house and library.

Northport: Northport has a public golf course.

Hope: Knox County Fish & Game Association has a public launching ramp on Alford Lake.

CONCLUSION/ANALYSIS

Lincolnville residents have reasonable access to outdoor recreational opportunities including fresh and saltwater access. Camden Hills State Park, including Tanglewood, provides large tracts of land for outdoor recreation.