With the inviting rays of the warm summer sun rapidly approaching, the Bridgton park areas are being examined to provide the best possible outdoor experience for residents and visitors.

“We’re finally starting to have a park system, not a scattering of parks,” said Peter Lowell, executive director of Lakes Environmental Association, a local conservation group. He said the town’s three parks; Highland Lake Park, Shorey Park and Pondicherry Park are being integrated into a cohesive unit.

Currently the three parks are linked by wooded trails //WHAT WOODED TRAIL RUNS FROM HIGHLAND LAKE TO SHOREY PARK? YOU BASICALLY HAVE TO CROSS A BRIDGE AND A STREET TO GO FROM ONE TO ANOTHER// but do not have a consistent feel and style. Lowell said simple things like uniform signs would bring consistency to the parks.

“What we’re trying to do is have a dialogue with the public about what improvements and infurbishments can be made,” he said.

Last week on April 16, the town and Lakes Environmental Association held an open forum at the town office seeking input from the public on what they want the parks to look like in town. Lowell said the predominant concern people had was about construction a large gazebo for the Lake Region High School band at Highland Lake Park.

“The consensus was that that’s not anything the band is pushing for,” said Lowell. He said people are happy with keeping band concerts at the community center on Depot Street.

Lowell said proposed improvements for Highland Lake include planting trees close to the water so the root structures can thwart erosion and building a fence to keep children from running into the road.

Jim Kidder, the public works director, said the playground across the road from the beach at Highland Lake has been a cause for concern for parents and town employees.

“The complaint was that kids were just darting the road,” he said. Kidder said he would like to see hedges planted and a wooden fence built to slow children down and funnel them into crosswalks.

Lowell said there are no future public forums scheduled at this time, but suggestions for improving the parks can be directed to Lakes Environmental Association at 647-8580 or the Bridgton Recreation Department at 647-8786.

//LOOK UP BOB MAWHINNEY – I BELIEVE HE HAS BEEN PUSHING TO MOVE THE BANDSTAND FROM STEVENS BROOK ELEMENTARY TO HIGHLAND LAKE//