Golf tourney to benefit Mantle Lake Park
IN THE CITY
by Chris Beaulieu
Four! Or is it fore!!? Either way, I will be participating in an activity on Sept. 18th, where that word is sure to leave my mouth. Yeah, you’ve guessed it and a few of you have even seen it — my golf game. I know it might be a surprise, as most people assume that I, being the recreation director, am highly skilled at all sports. However, as I often tell my wife, “I just cannot be great at everything, all the time.”
Granted, I have been known to crush a few homeruns, score a hat trick, and occasionally embarrass my opponent with my crossover dribble. (The fact that I can only achieve these feats against my 5-, 8- and 10-year-old sons really isn’t important, is it?) However, golf, I just can’t master. Nevertheless, I will be out there that Saturday morning, likely hacking my way through the brush after each shot and hopefully high fiving my teammates after theirs. Because in the end, my lack of a golf game is not what matters, but that we will be supporting a part of Presque Isle that has touched the lives of nearly all of you who read this newspaper; Mantle Lake Park.
First developed by the city in the early 1950s, Mantle Lake Park offers a unique opportunity for the surrounding communities and visitors from away with a special place to relax and recreate, right in the heart of Presque Isle. Hundreds of visitors of all ages utilize the park each year. From planned events like class reunions, work functions, school trips, special events, club outings to individuals and families just taking time out to “get away,” the park is a very valuable recreational and educational resource.
Several years ago, with the goal of improving the overall experience of the park, a concerted effort was made in planning for short- and long-term improvements to the park. In that time, many of those steps have been reached. Since 2005, completed improvements have included:
• The completion of a Watershed Survey to determine the amounts of sediment run off from the streets and fields surrounding the lake and Kennedy Brook and its damaging effects on the trout habitat in those bodies of water as well as the Presque Isle Stream.
By 2006, the lake was just plain nasty as the algae growth had taken over much of the lake. From the information gained from the Watershed Survey and continued research, it was determined the only way to improve the lake’s water quality was to remove the phosphorus rich sediments that have accumulated over the past 100 years and settled at the bottom. Hence, the lake was drained and the arduous task of removing the sediment began. In the end, up to 12-foot depths of sediment, totaling 21,000 cubic yards of soil was removed.
• A stormwater sediment basin was installed on the south east side of the lake on the Christie Farm, in an effort to catch future run-off prior to it reaching the stream and settling in the lake.
• In 2008, a Hazard Tree Management Plan was developed and was put into action last spring with the removal of those specified trees.
• The development of plans for the future. Engineered improvements that include enhanced trails, addition of handicap trails, foot bridges and a new restroom. The most recent achievement, the completion of engineered planned improvements, is now what we are aiming at for the future. Some of the details of those plans include:
• Creating more opportunities for disabled individuals to better enjoy the park by adding handicap parking, restroom and trails throughout the park;
• Refurbishing the current trail system on the southern side of the lake and adding measures to control future erosion; and
• Constructing foot bridges at three locations to connect the trails and help stabilize the banks. One of those bridges is to actually go over the dam to provide a safe and appropriate crossing.
The three basic reasons to write this article. First, to let people know of all of the great accomplishments that have already been achieved at the park. Second, is to share our exciting plans for the future. Lastly, is to let everyone know what we are doing right now to improve Mantle Lake Park and what we need to do to be successful.
This brings us back to my horrendous golf game and the reason I am risking the injury of others on Sept. 18th. If you have not been to the park lately, you should go. While there, plan on utilizing the restroom or at least go check it out. You will immediately notice a couple things … one, the not so pleasant looking, bright, baby blue building. (Sorry Mr. Hayward and/or Mr. Haskell, but I am actually color blind and even I can tell that is a nasty color for a building.) The next thing you will likely notice is the cold, dungeon like feeling you get once you enter. This facility is five decades old, is obviously not handicap accessible and it’s crumbling and dilapidated condition may soon prove to be unsafe. That is why on Sept. 18th the Presque Isle Rotary Club is holding their 5th Annual Rotary Golf Tournament with this year’s recipient the Mantle Lake Restoration Program, specifically for the reconstruction of the restroom.
With the hard work of so many and the financial support of tournament players, sponsors and donors we hope to have a new restroom facility constructed in 2011.
Whether or not you swing a club like Tiger Woods, his ex-wife, Elin or even me, everyone can support this important project by sponsoring, donating and/or playing that day. If you would like to help out, please contact either myself at 764-2545 or chrispirec@maine.rr.com, Committee Chairs’ Mike Thibodeau at 764-6611or mike.thibodeau@mmgins.com, and/or Tim Poitras at 764-3171 or tim@cmkcpa.com.
A special thanks to the Committee members putting on this event, the Presque Isle Rotary and all of the many other groups and individuals that have helped and will help, continue to make Mantle Lake Park a special place.
Chris Beaulieu is Presque Isle’s director of Recreation & Parks. He can be reached at 764-2545 or via e-mail at pirec@maine.rr.com.
