DOVER-FOXCROFT, Maine — Those driving down Greeley’s Landing Road toward Sebec Lake will be able to see the water sooner and enjoy the area with some new public green space thanks to the donation of a parcel of land to the town by summer resident John E. Wiles to honor members of his family.
Wiles, who was born and raised in Dover-Foxcroft and graduated from Foxcroft Academy in 1951, recently gave the town about 1.3 acres of property at the corner of the Greeley’s Landing and Cotton Brook roads. The piece of land is across the street from Merrill’s Marina as well as the public parking area for the Sebec Lake boat launch.
The land had been in the Wiles family for several generations, and the decision was made to give the real estate to the town. Wiles said the gift from himself and his wife, Pat, is to honor his grandparents, John A. and Gertrude D. Wiles and Conway E. and Luella S. Blakeny; parents, Gerald E. and Winnifred B. Wiles; brother Gerald E. Wiles and son Bruce D. Wiles. A marker honoring these family members will be placed at the site.
“We all love the lake, we come here every year,” Wiles, who also lives in West Simsbury, Connecticut, said. “We haven’t retired here, but we spend four months a year here.
“The town won’t sell it, and it will not be developed,” he said about some of the conditions put in place for the property conveyance. “It will be kept as an open space for parking and picnicking, and the area will be maintained by the town.”
Overgrown vegetation has already been removed from the parcel, providing a wider view looking in the direction of the water. Town Manager Jack Clukey said that previously only about half of the roller skating building was visible heading down Greeley’s Landing Road, but now the entire structure can be seen along with the water in the background.
Along the property boundary, opposite the pavement, a row of large rocks has been set up. One large stone may be where the marker recognizing members of the Wiles family is placed.