CHINA: Seeking second access to Thurston Park main topic at committee meeting

Hikers on Bridge in Thurston Park (Photo courtesy: Town of China)

by Mary Grow

According to the minutes of the Dec. 19, 2024, meeting of China’s Thurston Park Committee, seeking a second access to the park from the south was a main topic of discussion.

Currently, people driving into the almost-400-acre recreation area in northeastern China have access only from Albion on the north, via the discontinued Yorktown Road that runs through the park south to China’s Mann Road. The steep hill, partly in Albion, on the dirt road frequently washes out and needs expensive repairs.

Committee members hope lessening reliance on the north entrance would save money. Park users have asked for better access. And committee members believe a second access is necessary in case of a medical emergency or a fire in the park.

The southern end of Yorktown Road passes close to Maurice “Pete” and Dawn Haskell’s home. Committee members wanted to start by talking with the Haskells; Town Manager Rebecca Hapgood advised them to ask for select board approval first.

Committee members also talked about applying for state funding under the measure Maine voters approved Nov. 5 to improve trails, and discussed where they might want to build new trails. They decided the next trail in the park should be handicapped-accessible, and an accessible toilet should be provided.

Committee members are waiting for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) money to reimburse some of the clean-up costs after last December’s storms. They hope to have money from that source; from China’s TIF (Tax Increment Financing) fund; and from their annual town budget request, which they decided to leave at $13,000 for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Depending on funding, they suggested adding a new trail and improving two existing trails for mountain biking. Members of NEMBA (New England Mountain Bike Association) have been to the park and are interested. Committee members also plan to participate in China’s February 2025 Ice Days, as they did in 2024 (though lack of snow ruined some of their plans).

The next Thurston Park Committee meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025, in the portable building behind the China town office.