BRUNSWICK — The Parks and Recreation Department is seeking public input on programs and future transportation needs as it prepares to move into a new recreation facility at Brunswick Landing, nearly four miles away from its existing downtown headquarters.

The Recreation Commission will meet Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. in Room 217 of Brunswick Station to discuss the logistics of moving from 30 Federal St. to the former U.S. Navy field house at 220 Neptune Drive.

At the meeting, the commission will discuss where to hold programs that were previously held downtown, along with transportation needs for patrons who might have difficulty reaching the new recreation facility.

The commission will also discuss the development of new trails to provide easier pedestrian and bicycle access into Brunswick Landing, and a “farewell event” for 30 Federal St.

The town’s annual Halloween festivities on Oct. 31 are currently the final activities scheduled for the soon-to-be former Recreation Center.

Starting in November, the Parks and Recreation Department will begin operating at the Brunswick Landing building, which was conveyed from the U.S. Navy earlier this year. The department’s pre-school program is already at the new building.

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The first event scheduled at the new recreation building is the annual Ski and Skate sale, on Nov. 3. The first recreation program will be an introductory tennis program for children ages 5-7.

The town recently signed an agreement to sell 30 Federal St. to the Brunswick Development Corp. for $225,000. At nearly the same time, BDC signed an option to sell the property, along with the Town Hall at 28 Federal St., to Wiscasset-based Coastal Enterprises, for $300,000.

Sale of the two properties is expected to close by April 1, 2014, if CEI determines the properties are viable for the nonprofit’s headquarters and about 60 employees. CEI would then demolish the two town buildings to develop a new building, which would be ready by early 2015.

Parks and Recreation Director Tom Farrell said not all programs previously held at 30 Federal St. will necessarily move to Brunswick Landing. Instead, some of them, including youth basketball leagues, might be held at schools, which have already been used for some recreation activities. 

Farrell said the Recreation Commission is hoping to receive input from the community on its recommendations for relocation of various programs. The final decisions will be based on the availability of the various town and school facilities throughout the next year.

The commission will also discuss proposals to begin a possible transportation program using the School Department’s buses or Brunswick Explorer.

Dylan Martin can be reached at 781-3661 ext. 100 or dmartin@theforecaster.net. Follow him on Twitter: @DylanLJMartin.

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The Brunswick Parks and Recreation Department will have two full-size basketball courts inside the new Brunswick Landing recreation building at 220 Neptune Drive, which will open in November.


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