Input sought on Fort Williams design

With Cliffside finished, arboretum group plans Children’s Garden

CAPE ELIZABETH — The Fort Williams Foundation celebrated the completion of Cliffside, the first project site at The Arboretum at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, and thank donors and volunteers with an open house held Tuesday.

With more than 400 volunteers and thousands of volunteer hours, the Cliffside demonstration site reclaimed a swath of land overlooking Casco Bay that had become overgrown with invasive species. It is now planted with native and sustainable species designed to preserve the scenic vistas along the coastline. Re-exposed ledges, rock walls, and juniper, blueberry and huckleberry bushes make the natural landscape look like it has been there for years. The site also includes space for morning yoga classes that are running on Tuesday mornings through Sept. 18.

At the event, the foundation announced the next steps for the second arboretum project, the Children’s Garden, and outlined a design competition to choose the winning design.  The competition and design of the garden is being funded in large part through a $17,500 donation from the South Portland and Cape Elizabeth Rotary Club. 

The Foundation has chosen five renowned landscape architecture firms to participate in the design competition. Proposals will be submitted by early September and conceptual drawings will be on display for members of the public to view. Locations will be announced soon.  The public will be encouraged to leave their comments on which proposal they like best at the exhibitions and on the foundation’s Facebook page. Search for “Arboretum at Fort Williams Park” on Facebook.

When complete, the arboretum will consist of 15 individual landscapes throughout the Park, each highlighting unique natural features. A trail system will link these landscapes and provide greater accessibility as well as enhanced recreational and educational opportunities. The steering committee has developed a phased approach for project implementation.

The Fort Williams Foundation is launching a comprehensive capital campaign for the arboretum, which is funded through private donations and public grants. The initiative is supported by the Cape Elizabeth Town Council, Planning Board, the Fort Williams Advisory Commission, and is in accordance with the 2012 updated master plan for the park.   

For more information, visit www.arboretumatfortwilliams.org or www.fortwilliams.org.