Orrington residents will soon have access to launch their boats in the Penobscot River at a boat landing named after a longtime resident.
Alan Baker, 97, has been part of a multiyear effort to increase river access in Orrington. Now, a boat landing bearing Baker’s name on the Penobscot River is projected to open in June 2027.
Baker, who was formerly the owner and publisher of the Ellsworth American, and members of Orrington’s boat landing committee attended a ceremonial gathering at the site Monday morning. The landing is being built in South Orrington on McGinn Road. Work had already begun at the site on Oct. 16.
U.S. Sen. Susan Collins attended the groundbreaking in support of Baker. The senator was not involved with funding the project, but has long been friendly with Baker and has submitted multiple tributes to him into Senate records.
C-SPAN and the Wall Street Journal attended the event but Collins, who is involved in a contentious reelection campaign against Democratic nominee Troy Jackson, did not take any questions from reporters after the ceremony.
When it opens next year, the landing will give more access to the Penobscot River from the east river bank, which is limited between Milford and Castine. When asked about his thoughts on the landing being dedicated to him, Baker said: “It’s a little bit daunting. I’m not used to that.”
Planning for the plot of land used for the landing began six years ago, boat landing committee member Keith Bowden said Monday. The landing will have a boat ramp for put-in, a playground and picnic area, Bowden said.
“This is going to be enjoyed by a lot of people as well as the boaters,” Bowden said.
The idea for more amenities than just a boat ramp in Orrington came from Baker’s comments about how the Ellsworth marina and boat launch attracts residents to the space to eat lunch or enjoy the sights, Bowden said.
The project, which started with initial walks of the plot of land during the COVID-19 pandemic, is funded by state grants, town funds and the Greenfield Environmental Trust, a private environmental trust. More than $2 million in funding was secured for the project, Craig Morin, an engineer on the project, said.
During the years the project was taking shape, the process involved “kissing a lot of frogs” before everything came together, Orrington Town Manager Chris Backman said. Working with funders, residents and Sen. David Hagan, R-Hampden, made the process easier, Backman said.
By living in Hampden before many environmental cleanups of the Penobscot River took place, Hagan said he remembers when bald eagles and sturgeon weren’t seen along the river. Now, Hagan said he’s been able to see much wildlife in the area, and the boat landing will allow more area residents to access it.
“The fact that Orrington is participating in this massive mercury cleanup and putting this beautiful thing in to be able to park my boat somewhere on this side of the river will be a great thing,” Hagan said.