Boardwalk Groundbreaking Marks Historic Milestone for River Park Vision
After nearly three decades of planning, partnership, and persistence, the first physical pieces of the Skowhegan River Park are about to take shape.
Main Street Skowhegan invites the community to a public groundbreaking ceremony for the New Balance Foundation Boardwalk on Monday, June 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. on Skowhegan’s downtown riverfront. The event will celebrate the start of construction on Phase 1 of the riverfront boardwalk, as well as a transformational $1 million naming gift from the New Balance Foundation to support the broader Skowhegan River Park vision.
The groundbreaking marks the beginning of construction on a project first imagined in 1999: reconnecting downtown Skowhegan to the Kennebec River through public access, outdoor recreation, community gathering spaces, and economic opportunity.
“This vision is becoming reality,” said Kristina Cannon, President & CEO of Main Street Skowhegan. “After nearly three decades of planning and community engagement, we’re about to see the first physical pieces of the project take shape. At the same time, we’re continuing to advance the next phases, from additional boardwalk infrastructure to the adjustable surf and kayak wave that will make Skowhegan a nationally recognized river recreation destination.”
A Transformational Gift from the New Balance Foundation
The New Balance Foundation’s $1 million investment represents one of the largest private gifts ever made toward the Skowhegan River Park vision. The gift includes naming support for two key community recreation assets: the New Balance Foundation Boardwalk and the New Balance Foundation Basecamp Gear Library.
“The New Balance Foundation is committed to investing in vibrant communities and bright futures through sport,” said Molly Santry, Director of the New Balance Foundation. “This innovative River Park project along the Kennebec River will more fully connect people to all that the river has to offer—from river sports to outdoor entrepreneurship and education. New Balance and the New Balance Foundation have been part of the Central Maine community for more than 40 years, and we are proud to support this transformational opportunity to help more people, residents and visitors alike, get outdoors and stay active.”
About Phase 1 of the Boardwalk
Phase 1 of the New Balance Foundation Boardwalk is a $2.3 million project that includes 4,187 square feet of ADA-accessible northern white cedar decking along Skowhegan’s riverfront. Construction is scheduled to begin the week of June 22, with completion anticipated by December 2026.
Funding for Phase 1 was made possible through a combination of public and private investments, including a $2 million federal Community Project Funding grant championed by Senator Susan Collins and Senator Angus King, along with a $334,000 contribution from the Expedia Trail Fund, stewarded through Main Street Skowhegan’s partnership with The Conservation Fund.
The boardwalk is the first major construction phase of the broader Skowhegan River Park, a once-in-a-generation effort to transform the relationship between our community and the Kennebec River.
Momentum for Future Phases
The June 29 groundbreaking comes as momentum continues to build for future phases of the River Park.
Main Street Skowhegan recently secured a $2.5 million Timber for Transit grant from the Northern Border Regional Commission to support construction of Phase 2 of the boardwalk and promenade. Phase 2 is currently planned to begin in spring 2027 and will add an additional 7,235 square feet of riverfront infrastructure, featuring a river viewing deck from 181 Water Street.
Looking ahead, Senator Angus King has also championed a $5.6 million Community Project Funding request to support construction of Phase 1 of the whitewater park, including the project’s signature adjustable surf and kayak wave. That request is currently moving through the federal appropriations process for consideration as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 federal budget.
Together, these investments reflect growing support for a project that will expand river access, strengthen outdoor recreation, and create new opportunities for tourism and economic growth in Skowhegan and the surrounding region.
According to a 2025 economic impact study by Fourth Economy, the completed Skowhegan River Park is projected to generate $16.6 million in annual economic impact and support 137 permanent jobs throughout the region.
A Community Celebration
The June 29 groundbreaking ceremony is open to the public. Community members, downtown business owners, project partners, funders, and local, state, and federal elected officials are invited to gather on Skowhegan’s riverfront to celebrate the start of a project decades in the making.
The program will include remarks from Main Street Skowhegan, federal delegation representatives, and the New Balance Foundation, followed by a ceremonial groundbreaking and hard-hat photo with key stakeholders.
Project renderings will be on display, and an information table will include project maps, FAQ sheets, and a newsletter sign-up for those who want to stay informed as construction progresses. Members of the media are also encouraged to attend and will have access to interview opportunities, project visuals, and real-time event photography and video.
Event Details
What: Groundbreaking Ceremony for the New Balance Foundation Boardwalk
When: Monday, June 29, 2026, at 11:00 a.m.
Where: Skowhegan’s downtown riverfront
Who’s invited: Everyone
This milestone represents far more than the start of construction. It is the beginning of a new chapter for Skowhegan’s riverfront, one shaped by decades of local vision, regional partnership, and a shared belief in the power of the Kennebec River to bring people together.
Join Main Street Skowhegan on June 29 as we break ground on the New Balance Foundation Boardwalk and celebrate the next major step toward making the Skowhegan River Park a reality.
Get Involved:
Click here to make a donation to the Skowhegan River Park project.
