New "Height of Land" Overlook Opens
(MDOT press release)
Township
D, Maine -- The Rangeley Lakes Region Height of Land scenic overlook on
the Route 17 portion of the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway will
reopen this weekend, the result of a public/private partnership which
saw this scenic road reconstructed and the scenic overlook enhanced.
"This project
showcases how local citizens, state and federal agencies can work
together to create something spectacular. The Height of Land and the
Rangeley Lakes Scenic Byway is an attraction that draws people to the
area and helps fuel the local economy," said MaineDOT Commissioner David
Bernhardt. Funding for this project came from federally-directed money
specifically for the Height of Land project. The project included moving
a segment of Route 17 east of the existing road, then using the old
road to create the new, safer overlook.
"This project is
the culmination of a private and public partnership that benefits not
only the region but the state as well," said Rebecca Kurtz of the
Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust (RLHT) and the Scenic Byway's Coordinator.
RLHT, as the Byway's fiscal and programmatic partner has collaborated
with the Byway for nearly a decade to bring this exciting project to
fruition.
The overlook,
which used to be no more than a shoulder area where vehicles could pull
over, now has an entrance and exit on each end. Natural stone from the
area has been arranged to provide areas for seating. Native vegetation
was planted, and there are four interpretative panels at the overlook
which feature land conservation, the Appalachian Trail, the watershed
and the scenic vista.
Surrounding the
overlook is over 500 acres of forest land that was purchased by the
Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust, forever protecting the view from
development. The land protected is adjacent to the Appalachian Trail and
stretches to Bemis Stream where it enters Mooselookmeguntic Lake. The
Land for Maine's Future program, with sponsorship by the Maine
Department of Conservation, invested $379,000 to support RLHT's $1
million dollar acquisition of the property. RLHT's fundraising for this
acquisition is ongoing.
The Rangeley Lakes
Heritage Trust, the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway committee, and
the Maine DOT are now gearing up for Phase II of the project which will
feature a Conservation Walk at Height of Land to be located directly
adjacent to the new scenic overlook. This unique and easily accessible
network of trails will feature bronze plaques on boulders and ledges
with quotes from great American conservationists such as Muir,
Roosevelt, Longfellow, and Thoreau. "This new monument to conservation
will work in harmony with the spectacular vistas available at Height of
Land to inspire visitors who come to enjoy the many recreational
opportunities and rich outdoor history the Rangeley region provides"
added Nancy Perlson, RLHT's Executive Director. RLHT is working to
pursue the possibility of incorporating a portion of the Appalachian
Trail to provide a loop hiking trail from the new overlook.
The $3.9 million
project was a collaboration of a dedicated group that included local,
state and federal people working together to promote safety and economic
development by enhancing the byway and overlook. The overlook is
designed to accommodate the many tour buses that travel through western
Maine at this time of year providing revenue to local lodging, food and
retail businesses. Pike Industries was the contractor for the project,
and construction began in August of last year. Crews worked into winter
before suspending the project due to snow, then resumed in the spring.
Construction is now completed just as foliage has peaked in the Rangeley
area.
For more information or to share a comment, please contact Rebecca Kurtz at: 207-864-7311 (Ext.5) or click here:
rkurtz@rlht.org
