FREEPORT – With a bonfire providing an inviting backdrop, Freeport landscape architect Travis Pryor lined up three detailed schematics last Thursday for possible uses for Leon Gorman Park, an unspoiled piece of nature within a 2-minute walk of the downtown.

At the town’s invitation, more than a dozen people showed up to toss around the ideas, which Pryor began to develop following a previous public brainstorming session last spring. Town Planner Donna Larson said she will assemble the suggestions.

“If there is overwhelming support for one plan,” Larson said, “I will bring it to the Municipal Facilities Committee, because it’s town-owned land.”

Leon Gorman Park, off School Street, was given to the town by Gorman in 2007. The park consists of eight acres of trails, a fire pit and a pavilion, overlooking a gully that collects storm water. The original plan called for an ice-skating area on land that forms a circle around the gully, but that idea never caught on.

Kathleen Meade and her son, Sebastian, said they both favor a dog park on the land. Regularly, people can be seen walking or running with their dogs on the paths that wind their way toward Frost Gully. Sebastian Meade discussed that option with Pryor.

“I think it is much more than a need,” Meade told Pryor, as they stood underneath the wooden awning where Pryor lined up his charts.

Pryor responded that the area is too small, according to design standards, for dog parks.

Scott Smith said he also sees the need for a dog park, but Smith has a higher priority – one outlined in Pryor’s “Plan A.” That plan calls for a natural play area and a bike pump track, including a bike rack, and an ice skating area.

“I like the bike pump track,” Smith said. “Kids would love this place if you do that. I also like the idea of a dog park. The negative would be the cost of a fence.”

According to adventuresportsjournal.com, a pump track is a small, looping trail system that users can ride continuously without pedaling. Their speed along the pump track is dependent on their ability to gain momentum by “pumping” the tight terrain transitions of the track.

Pryor’s “Plan B” calls for a bocce court, a natural play and lawn area, tables underneath the picnic shelter and a horseshoe pit.

In “Plan C,” visitors to Leon Gorman Park could enjoy gardens, a larger natural play area and an ice skating area.

“We were interested in trying to connect the trails,” said Paul Lipman, who recently moved to town from Portland. “We also heard something about a possible water park for the kids, and that would be fun. There’s not really a lot of activity for kids in this park.”

Leon Gorman Park already is in the process of change. Volunteers planted 200 daffodil bulbs that will dress it in yellow next spring, and shrubs that have been planted on the hillside between the park and street level have taken hold and are growing.

Lucas Simmons toasts the s’more that he carefully assembled last Thursday night at Leon Gorman Park in Freeport. He was among those on hand to talk about possible uses for the park.