Regarding Clark Cove, abutting property owners and others who oppose this plan have legitimate concerns regarding neighborhood and pedestrian safety, trespassing by foot or vehicle, and impact on critical wildlife habitat. Those in favor point to increased water access.
The Clark Cove property is entered from Allen Point Road, in the heart of an active neighborhood. This narrow road is a favorite of residents to walk dogs, stroll with children or enjoy daily exercise. Two vehicles cannot pass with pedestrians in the road, so we count on patient, neighborly drivers.
In the midst of this, it’s proposed that Harpswell build a state attraction — a kiosk, a parking lot, trails through protected habitat, a bridge over wetlands — and maintain it all, indefinitely, at Harpswell’s expense, though it will always remain state-owned.
The state has done nothing with this land for 50 years, other than note its transition to a multispecies wildlife habitat. Officials admit there are no plans to develop this property if we vote against it. But if approved, we open a Pandora’s box of “Let’s add a trash can, or widen a trail, or enlarge the parking lot, or install a porta-potty.”
The property is already open to anyone to walk or hike, without signs, fences or trash cans. If we reject this proposal, Clark Cove will continue as a spot for all of Harpswell to enjoy, a scenic setting at zero new expense, without damaging wildlife habitat or flooding a neighborhood with increased traffic and signage, both counter to maintaining our rural character.
Either way, this project will have little to no effect on most residents. But for the protected wildlife and everyone who walks, drives or lives on Allen Point Road, it will have an ongoing, negative impact. Vote no. Let’s protect Clark Cove from unneeded development.
Jim Laughren, Harpswell
