Maine State Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Blog

What priorities is the 2009-2014 ME SCORP proposing?

parksandlands — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:38:08 +0000

While all sections of the draft 2009-2014 Maine SCORP serve their purpose, one section is particularly relevant to priorities and strategic actions. The Implementation Strategy (Chapter V) is where the plan discusses priorities and actions identified as central to providing and maintaining quality outdoor recreation opportunities in Maine.

Draft Final Table of Contents For Review

parksandlands — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:30:53 +0000

2009-2014 ME SCORP Draft Table of Contents (as of 8/25/09)

Note: files are up to 6.2 MB in size and may take a moment to load.

Cover & Contents Draft Available (pdf)
Executive Summary Draft Available (pdf)
Introduction Draft Available (pdf)
Developments 2003-2009 Draft Available (pdf)
Issues and Trend Affecting Draft Available (pdf)
Outdoor Recreation in Maine
Outdoor Recreation Demand in Maine Draft Available (pdf)
Outdoor Recreation Supply in Maine Draft Available (pdf)
Implementation Strategy Draft Available (pdf)
Wetland Component Draft Available (pdf)
Appendices Draft Available (pdf)

Where are State and Federal Recreation and Conservation Lands located in Maine?

parksandlands — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:38:06 +0000

The map shown here represents state and federal lands conserved for, among many values, public recreation access.

Listening Sessions to Take Place in Presque Isle, Brewer, and Scarborough,

parksandlands — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 17:15:58 +0000

Listening Sessions this September:

Three listening sessions will be held this September to update how the SCORP plan is developing, including what priorities are emerging. This is an ideal opportunity for you to learn about outdoor recreation in Maine while also having the chance to share what matters most to you and what outdoor recreation-related efforts you think Maine needs to focus on for the next five years.

Dates, Times, & Locations:

September 8th, 2009. Allagash Rm., U. Maine Presque Isle -
6:00 pm

September 10, 2009. Scarborough HS Cafeteria, Scarborough - 7:00 pm

September 14, 2009 Penobscot County Conservation

Association Clubhouse – 7:00 pm

Download directions.

Findings from Landscape-Scale Recreation Focus Group

parksandlands — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:19:15 +0000

The document linked below allows you to see the results of a day long focus group examining recreation needs and issues associated with Maine’s large, primarily undeveloped landscapes. Related topics of inquiry focused on priavate landowner issues, gateway communities, and the overarching concept of connectivity. Please feel encouraged to read the document and share your reaction via online comment or email/written comment.

View “Preserving, Developing, and Enhancing Recreational Connections Across Large Landscapes” – Focus Group Findings

Upcoming Focus Group

parksandlands — Tue, 26 May 2009 17:17:10 +0000

The third focus group, “Preserving, Developing, and Enhancing Recreational Connections Across Large Landscapes” will be held June 8th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Penquis Higher Learning Center in Dover-Foxcroft. This focus group, made up of stakeholders from diverse interests, is open to public observation.

Parks Visitation

parksandlands — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:26:00 +0000

Not all outdoor recreation destinations in Maine collect visitor use data. However, Acadia National Park, the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands, North Maine Woods Inc., to name a few, do track visitor use. Visitation figures are a useful tool in deciphering outdoor recreation trends.

To learn more about visitation trends in Maine, read the visitation pdf.

Motorized Recreation Trends

parksandlands — Tue, 19 May 2009 20:06:32 +0000

Motorized recreation, such as snowmobile, ATV, and motor boat use is a huge part of the recreation picture in Maine. Accordingly, it is also a large economic force.

Registration data, along with, in the case of ATVs, state-level studies give us an idea of demand for motorized recreation. While the overall trend across the last 15 years has been an increase in registrations, there have been fluctuations. To learn more, read the PDF.

Connecting Natural Areas, Corridors, and Communities

parksandlands — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:34:07 +0000

On April 17th, a group of conservation and recreation leaders and enthusiasts cam etogether to discuss issues and opportunities associated with open space, conservation, recreation, and quality of place in Maine communities, especially those most under development pressure. Explore some preliminary findings by reading more.

Thoughts from the 2003-2008 SCORP on Smart Growth

parksandlands — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:16:02 +0000

One of the focus points of the SCORP being worked on currently is “quality of place” and the role of interconnected outdoor recreation spaces and facilities. When the current SCORP was drafted, a somewhat similar topic of “Community Outdoor Recreation and Smart Growth” was explored. The list below, from the 2003-2008 SCORP, represents suggested actions to protect/enhance outdoor recreation at the local level.

Statewide Issue: Community Outdoor Recreation and Smart Growth
• find a stable, predictable source of funding for the currently unfunded Municipal Recreation Fund to assist municipalities in meeting local recreational needs;
• document the value, tangible and intangible of municipal recreation programs and facilities so communities can make informed decisions about priorities and municipal support can be increased for local initiatives;
• communities should make adequate maintenance of existing facilities a higher priority than development of new facilities;
• communities should express strong support for stateside L&WCF and municipal grants component;
• consider Increasing MOHF and LMF funding for municipal initiatives;
• require provision of non-motorized links to other parts of the community in permitting development;
• publicize models (case histories) of effective implementation of “smart growth” initiatives;
• encourage state agencies to become more involved in regional comprehensive planning, and require local planning to consider regional, multi-community coordination and cooperation;
• integrate Beginning With Habitat (BWH) into local planning and conserve BWH-identified high-value areas that cross town boundaries;
• consider a statewide transfer of development rights (TDR) initiative;
• encourage locating locally-owned open space and recreational facilities adjacent to high-activity areas such as malls to encourage use and limit expansion of dense development;
• establish connecting corridors between public facilities;
• provide safe routes, or public transportation, to and between public facilities, e.g. bike paths/ways, sidewalks, trails;
• ensure that local recreational facilities appeal to entire spectrum of users and uses;
• increase planning for recreation in local comprehensive planning ensuring that facilities/programs will meet needs and be sustained.

Are these ideas still relevant and wise? Please share your thoughts.