With more than 30 miles of hiking trails, 100 campsites, spectacular vistas and varied four-season recreational opportunities for both families and hard-core adventurers, Camden Hills State Park is one of Maine’s most treasured public resources. A new nonprofit organization has been formed to preserve and improve upon the iconic park for future generations of users.
The Friends of Camden Hills State Park was established to coordinate volunteer projects, develop educational programming, and channel financial support for the park.
The park’s 5,710 acres span the towns of Camden and Lincolnville and include mountains, Penobscot Bay shoreline, sheer cliffs beloved by climbers, streams, vernal ponds, rare flora and fauna, unique geology, picturesque picnic spots, and an accessible auto road to the Mt. Battie summit. The park came into existence as a project of the Depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps, during which hundreds of “CCC boys” lived in on-site barracks and carved the park out of the Camden mountains and shoreline.
“Our goal is to help the park, with its limited budget and staffing, to do some of the things it cannot do for itself,” said Friends of CHSP Board President Paul Karoff. “We have a list of near- and longer-term projects we hope to tackle. For now, we’re seeking volunteers for both outdoor, hands-on tasks such as trail construction, invasive plant removal, native plant installation, and garden maintenance, and lighter duty needs such as event planning, volunteer engagement, fundraising, website support, and historical research.”
The park manager, Charlene Sunshine Hood, serves as an ex officio member of the organization’s board of directors.
To advance its goals, the group is seeking individual members and business partners. One can join by making a donation at any level. People can see a list of volunteer opportunities and sign up to receive updates on events and activities at the group’s website: www.friendsofchsp.org.
Anyone interested in learning more can check the website or contact info@friendsofchsp.org.
