A field of possibilities

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This aerial view shows the unused elementary school in Hallowell activists want converted into a park for open space.

HALLOWELL -- If the old elementary school property off Lincoln Street were transformed into a park and playground, it would cost Hallowell homeowners an extra $7, based on the city's 2005 tax rate.

If the city sold the property and a developer built 27 homes on the 9-acre parcel, taxpayers would gain $6 a year.

Those findings are in a report land-use consultant Holly Dominie of Readfield compiled for Friends of Vaughan Field, an independent citizens' organization.

Friends raised more than $6,000 to fund the study, which determined the costs and benefits of various scenarios for use of the property. The city took ownership of the site from School Administrative District 16 last month.

Doug Averill, treasurer of Friends for Vaughan Field, said the group shared the report with residents during a public meeting Wednesday at City Hall.

"There's a lot of opportunities to pay (to build a park) and have zero upfront impact on the city of Hallowell," Averill said. "It could cost anywhere from $50,000 to $150,000 to tear down the school and turn the property into a park, but there are opportunities for grants.

"What it comes down to is whether you want three large Dunkin' Donut coffees or a park," Averill said. "Either way, you're not talking a lot of money."

Bertha Vaughan donated the property in 1923 as a memorial park honoring her parents.

In 1952, the Vaughan family released the city from deed restrictions so the land could be used for a school.

In June 2004, the City Council agreed to sell the parcel and give the money to Team Hall-Dale, a nonprofit corporation soliciting funds to help pay for a larger gymnasium, cafeteria and library at the new elementary school on Winthrop Street.

She said green space and park scenarios are assumed to bring in no revenue for the city, whereas the housing scenarios would, via state revenue sharing, state excise taxes, property taxes and state aid to education.

But a community park and playground would enhance the aesthetics and quality of life in Hallowell, spurring community spirit and social interaction and promoting fitness and mental well-being, Dominie said.

Dominie said the property is remarkable for a number of reasons, including that it is within walking distance of most Hallowell citizens. It's flat, has long been a public landmark, is relatively safe and has potential as a pedestrian link.

"At some point, the city may wish to create an off-road pathway interconnecting the Kennebec (River) Rail Trail, Vaughan Field, Stevens School campus and the new Hall-Dale Elementary School," Dominie said. "All of these assets have the potential to form the jewels in a necklace of public destinations."

If Vaughan Field were a park, Averill said, people could walk from the rail trail along the river to the new school on top of Winthrop Street with only having to cross the street twice.

"Most people want a park, but they think it would be too hard and desire to take the easy route and let a developer have it so he can pick up the costs," he said. "It might be the easier to pass it along, but not necessarily the right thing."

Copies of the report are available at the Hubbard Library in Hallowell or downloaded from the Friends of Vaughan Field's Web site, http://www.fovf.org

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