Through the generosity of citizens, landowners and organizations, Pondicherry Park project is gaining real momentum. Lakes Environmental Association and Loon Echo Land Trust are now pleased to offer the public several opportunities to explore, ask questions, and provide input about the park in a series of walks and a public meeting.

At Pondicherry Park, 100 year-old pines tower, a natural spring bubbles up and flows towards Willet Brook, and stone walls intersect the mixed hardwood forest in every direction. Exploratory walks through Pondicherry Park will be held on Friday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. Meet at the association’s Lakes Center at 230 Main St. to carpool to the park.

The walks come as Lakes Environmental Association announced the purchase of more than 23 more acres for the park project Monday.

Then, join Lakes Environmental Association and Loon Echo Land Trust for a public workshop on Monday, Nov. 5 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. at the Marcella-Sands Lecture Hall at Bridgton Academy in North Bridgton. The park consultants, Richardson and Associates of Saco, will be presenting the site and trail plans to elicit input from the public. Refreshments will be served.

For more information about these informational programs, please contact Lakes Environmental Association at 647-8580 or lakes@megalink.net or Loon Echo Land Trust at 647-4352. For more park information, visit Loon Echo’s Web site at www.pondicherrypark.org.

JoAnne Diller, a member of the trails committee for the Pondicherry, talks with Charlotte Hewson, a longtime LEA and Loon Echo volunteer and member at the park. Diller will lead two of the four hikes in the park scheduled for Oct. 26 and 27, and Nov. 3