Mount Desert is unique because nearly half of the land in our community is a national park. This resource, as tremendous as it is, does not satisfy all the park and recreation needs of the community. This chapter inventories the park and recreation opportunities available to our residents and visitors alike.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park was formally created in 1929 by accepting donations of private land and adding to the Sieur do Monts National Monument that was originally established in 1919.
Over the years, a collection of donations and acquisitions has created an irregular park boundary that covers 30,000 acres on Mount Desert Island and an additional 5,000 acres on Schoodic Peninsula and Isle au Haut. There are an additional 11,000 acres on which Acadia National Park holds conservation easements.
Acadia is one of the most visited parks in the United States; nearly 3,000,000 visitors enjoy the Park each year. They come to camp, hike, bike, canoe, kayak, sightsee, swim, bird, and ride horses and carriages. The park contains carriage and hiking trails, historic buildings and bridges, abundant wildlife (birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, native plants) and several threatened/endangered plants and animals. Recreational and cultural opportunities are available year-round.
Approximately 40% of our town is in Acadia National Park, and much of this land can be accessed by residents.
Municipal Parks and Recreation
Because of the availability of recreation in Acadia as well as the many private recreation resources, the Town of Mount Desert has relatively few publicly-maintained recreation resources. However, there are a number of opportunities for recreation in the Town (Table 1).
Our community maintains two tennis courts located on Sea Street in Northeast Harbor. The Harbor Master oversees their use.
The Mount Desert Elementary School has recreation facilities available to residents and visitors alike. These include a playground, recreation field, and basketball court. There is a gymnasium for indoor recreation needs. In addition, the Mount Desert High School has a full range of recreation facilities that are available for public use just over the Bar Harbor town line.
The Town of Mount Desert owns 15 acres of land along the east side of Somes Sound, which is primarily used as a picnic area. Pond’s End, a beach area at the north end of Long Pond, is owned by the town, and is both a popular swimming spot and put-in for canoes and kayaks during the summer.
The Town also owns 76 acres of land on the Beech Hill Road. Most of this land is not designated for any particular use, but it is available for future planning and recreation efforts.
Finally, Seal Harbor beach is owned by the Town of Mount Desert, but its maintenance is managed by a local non-profit neighborhood association. This 300 foot long beach has an associated short hiking trail.
Private Parks
In addition to public park lands, there are two private parks that are open to the public at no charge. Asticou Azalea Gardens and Asticou Terraces (Thuya Garden) are located in Northeast Harbor and are open to the public.
Off-Season Recreation Opportunities
Mount Desert Island’s role as a seasonal vacation destination has created a focus of seasonal recreation opportunities. A number of outdoor winter activities are popular, and there are few indoor facilities that offer recreational opportunities year round.
The Neighborhood House, on Main Street in Northeast Harbor, is a community center that has served Mount Desert residents for nearly a century with numerous recreational, cultural, and educational events and activities, and has recently added a fitness room to its offerings. Although not located within Mount Desert, the MDI YMCA in Bar Harbor offers facilities for all island residents, including a fitness center, a swimming pool, children’s camp and child care, and a variety of health and fitness activities. The Harbor House in Southwest Harbor provides indoor facilities for many Mount Desert residents on the west side of town.
Access & Connections
Most of Mount Desert’s recreational facilities are located within village areas. Because so much of the town consists of Acadia National Park, there is easy access to the Park throughout the town, particularly from the villages on the east side of town.
The open space located just north of Northeast Harbor has traditionally been used for recreation, and the trails in this area connect to the village of Northeast Harbor on one side, and to Acadia National Park on the other. Much of this land is owned by the Mount Desert Water District.
Private Recreation Opportunities
Mount Desert Island’s role as a recreational destination creates many opportunities for private recreation. Several private recreation opportunities are available, including horseback riding, kayaking/canoeing, boating, fishing, whale watching, biking, golf, tennis, and other activities.
Issues and Implications
1. The existence of Acadia National Park within Mount Desert provides unique recreational opportunities for the Town’s residents and visitors.
2. ANP provides extensive public access to fresh water. There is access to salt water in each of Town’s neighborhoods, in some cases across public land and in other cases across private land.
3. In most areas of Mount Desert there are very good connections and trails between the villages and open space.
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