Plan to upgrade parks across Maine represents first meaningful investment in park infrastructure in 15 years; comes at a time of record visitation and aims to improve experience for Maine people and visitorsCAMDEN HILLS STATE PARK – Governor Janet Mills today announced the launch of a $50 million initiative through her Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan to rebuild infrastructure at State Parks across Maine to make them more enjoyable and accessible for Maine people and visitors.
The Governor’s significant investment in Maine State Parks comes as a time when they have experienced a record number of visitors. In 2021, Maine’s 48 parks and historic sites – which are operated and maintained by the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry (DACF) – welcomed more than 3.3 million visitors, who are estimated to have generated more than $100 million in revenue for Maine’s economy.
Despite the popularity of the parks, it has been more than fifteen years since they have seen any meaningful investment, which has forced DACF to defer much-needed maintenance on roads, trail systems, and other vital infrastructure that make the parks accessible and enjoyable for Maine people and visitors.
With funding from the Governor’s Jobs Plan, DACF will undertake urgent capital infrastructure improvements to help address major safety and stewardship …