ROCKLAND — The third of its kind in Maine, following first Stockholm, Maine, then Lewiston and Portland, and the first in the Midcoast, a proposed alternative playground for Rockland has been approved, and the deposit has been submitted for creation of playground equipment serving the needs of children with physical, social, and/or emotional challenges.

In 2022, Rockland City Council authorized an order to have the Rockland Rotary Club raise funds towards this all-inclusive playground at MacDougal Park, on Broadway. This spring, when the Rotary met its financial goal, Council accepted the funds as a donation and will take over ownership and future maintenance.

“I just want to thank you for your work on this,” said Councilor Adam Lachman. “Everyone involved has this level of determination that it’s inevitable, and that was from day one. I just really commend you on the vision and the commitment to doing this.”

As the Rotary worked its “All Aboard” capital campaign, members incorporated design input from multiple local professionals. The Rotary has 100 percent support from MaineHealth, which provided a financial contribution. The president of MaineHealth has met with the Club and visited the site, and MaineHealth has been involved in the components of the project.

“They are thrilled,” said Rotary’s Susan Page, during an April 1, 2024 City Council agenda-setting meeting. “There’s 100 percent because they know how much it’s needed in our community.”

More than 300 children with physical therapy and occupational therapy needs are serviced through the Pen Bay Medical Center branch of MaineHealth.

The playground will span 6,392 square feet from where a swing set now stands, along a walking path, to a northern point just shy of the first of two benches. Though the playground area seems large, the size is not impactful in terms of the entire lot, according to Page.

“Depending on what you do down the road, there will be plenty of other opportunities for expansion on that property,” said Page.

The Rockland District Nurses Association has a flower garden at the park, and prior to the Rotary’s completion of fundraising efforts, the City had discussed usage of the parking lot for boats, RVs, Lobster Festival overflow, and overnight parking as well as a place for parade floats to stage. The City will consider other options for the annual July festival.

Factory assembly of equipment will take 9 - 12 weeks, pushing onsite completion likely into July. When the equipment arrives in Rockland, Rotary will organize a community build, saving money in the cost of the playground while getting the local community involved. For the community build, Rotary expects a three-day, 30-volunteer per day project, and about 5 - 7 business days to complete the project.

“I think it’s going to be a great draw to Midcoast Maine,” said Page. “I think it’s going to be good for our local economy, as well.”

This is the project that Rockland Rotary decided to undertake in its celebration of its hundredth year, which is this year, 2024.

“It’s something that we wanted to do, of substance, to really make an impact in our community,” said Page. “Something that will last for many many years and bring great joy to kids. We believe that every child, depending on situations that should be able to enjoy a playground and we’re excited to see the smiles on their faces.”

When asked by City Manager Tom Luttrell, Page suggested possibly budgeting $1,000 annually, though she doesn’t believe that expenses will go that high. The playground does not need to be pressure washed or any other such maintenance on a regular basis. Page suggested that Public Works periodically check the area for trash and other such issues. The equipment has a five-year warranty. Wheelchairs will be traversing rubberized surfaces. If for some reason, a chunk of rubber is uprooted, the City can send a picture to the company, which will send a repair kit to the City. Or, worse case scenario, a team from the company will come and do the repair themselves. Also, every couple of years, the woodchips need to be raked to spruce them up. The Rotary Club is willing to donate volunteer hours to do that raking.

“We have a lot vested in this, of course, and we want to make sure that this stays in tiptop shape,” said Page.

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com