Two ongoing projects in Biddeford and Saco are good examples of how the communities are finding effective ways to take advantage of valuable assets.

In Saco, work on the RiverWalk Trail is providing more scenic views and safer access to the banks of the Saco River. A Saco Spirit subcommittee has pursued this effort since 2004, opening up perspectives that greatly enhance the downtown area, and improve safety.

The RiverWalk Committee recently installed a concrete stairway from Front Street, and steel guardrails for the stairway and riverfront trail. Much landscaping work lies ahead, and the committee is hoping to establish a picnic area that will be accessible to the handicapped.

Recent efforts by the Heart of Biddeford focus on an entirely different asset: memories of shared experiences. A project known as HeartSpots is built upon the idea of mapping a geography of the city’s memorable places and personalities.

Recollections of good times shopping, dining, and spending time around Main Street may also help shape plans for the city’s future. Although HeartSpots relies on recollections of the past, the program can also be part of the future as Heart of Biddeford draws on community priorities to draft a downtown master plan.

Although these are separate projects of Saco Spirit and Heart of Biddeford, their benefits can be enjoyed on both sides of the river. Riverfront improvements in Saco will improve the outlook from Biddeford, and vice versa. And as for memories, aren’t there plenty to share?