Bowdoinham has received a “transformative” grant to bring new life to its waterfront, reforesting a new park near the heart of town.

According to Bowdoinham’s Planning Department, the town received its first $15,000 Maine Forest Service Project Canopy grant to support the first phase of its efforts to reforest the new Bowdoinham Riverfront Park, the former site of the public works department. Around 45 native trees and hundreds of native shrubs were planted in the park using funds from Project Canopy.

“This grant is a tremendous opportunity for Bowdoinham,” said Director of Planning and Development Yvette Meunier. “The trees we plant today will not only help stabilize the shoreline and improve water quality, but they will also create shaded areas for rest and reflection, making the park more accessible and enjoyable for residents of all ages and abilities.”

Bowdoinham applied for the Maine Forest Service grant in May 2024, as over 70% of the new Bowdoinham Riverfront Park is in a Federal Emergency Management Agency Special Flood Hazard Area. According to Meunier via email with The Times Record, the existing shoreline on the Riverfront Park is in a state of active and ongoing erosion, threatening the upland property and existing vegetation within the shoreland zone.

The new trees will serve multiple environmental purposes, such as erosion control, habitat restoration, and carbon sequestration. According to the 2024 Project Canopy planting guidelines, the program aims to increase tree canopy, improve air quality, reduce stormwater runoff, and enhance the livability of communities.

“This project serves to encourage esteem and enjoyment of our local natural resources in a way that sincerely harmonizes with [Kennebec Estuary Land Trust’s] mission,” said Becky Kolak, executive director of KELT. “The proposed project will help restore the myriad of benefits provided by trees and green spaces in the downtown area, serving both human and natural resources.”

The shoreline stabilization and restoration of Riverfront Park received support from local organizations like the Age-Friendly Committee of Bowdoinham. In a letter of support, its chairperson, Maureen Booth, wrote that the proposal is the next logical step to stabilize the ground and create areas of respite with canopies for visitors, given that about one out of three residents in Bowdoinham is 60 years or older and about 12% report a disability.

During restoration efforts, visitors are currently not allowed to visit the new Waterfront Park, Meunier said. The Project Canopy grant marks a pivotal step in realizing the vision of the Bowdoinham Riverfront Park as it continues to grow and evolve.

Project Canopy is a program of the Maine Forest Service, designed to help Maine communities develop and maintain long-term community forestry programs.