Winslow’s Adirondack chairs are gone

photo: Maine Airondeck Chairs Facebook page

by Mary Grow

“It’s a sad, sad situation. People love the chairs,” Winslow Parks and Recreation Director Amanda McCaslin said regretfully.

The chairs she meant were the wooden Adirondack chairs that used to be in Fort Halifax Park, near the Kennebec River. Early in June, unknown people apparently threw them into the river.

Since they disappeared, McCaslin estimated she’s received more than a dozen calls asking where they’d gone.

McCaslin said the vandalism was reported to police. Winslow fire department members took their boat out to look unsuccessfully for any chairs that might have grounded downriver.

McCaslin explained that the chairs cannot be secured in place, because they are in a flood zone. When town staff have warning of high water, they are moved to safety. Besides, people using them like to rearrange their conversational groups.

There is no money for new chairs in Winslow’s 2025-26 budget, which is effective July 1. Town officials are uncertain about replacements anyway, because, McCaslin said, “We can’t justify putting them out to have them thrown away.”

The alternative of having people bring their own chairs would be difficult for some older residents, she said.

Four of the 10 chairs were a gift from Maine Adirondack Chairs, in Vassalboro.

Rob Lemire, owner of Maine Adirondack Chairs, said he initially donated four chairs some years ago. After the unexpected December 2023 flood carried them away, he contacted McCaslin’s department and last spring donated another set of four “to be enjoyed by the public.”