Community Project

“Our goal is to remove a “wart” and replace it with a small town park, positioning it back with the original property now owned and maintained by the Town of Conway and known as the Whitaker Homesite Recreation Area.” This is the one and only goal of a citizens group that has been working since September 2004 to secure the former Sunoco station located on the corner of Pine Street and Main Street in North Conway Village. “Many businesses have leased the property and none have been able to survive on that corner,” stated Cindy Russell, spokesperson for the group. “So, since the property was on the market, it seemed an appropriate and once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire it, turn it into a green space and give it to the town to be appreciated in its proper historical context, rejoined with the original neighboring property from which it was separated more than 60 years ago.”

In order to carry out the entire mission, the group has raised the funds necessary to purchase the property. Thank you, to everyone who helped, and in particular, the Connie Davis Watson Fund.

In addition to purchasing the land, funding will include removing the buildings, returning the property to green space, and adding some simple landscaping. It is hoped that some of the work that will need to be done will be supplied by local corporations who will make an in-kind contribution, thereby reducing the total amount of cash to be raised.

	CONNIE DAVIS WATSON PARK . . . a look back at a community project

	Connie Davis Watson Park as it is viewed now in the summer months.
	The photos and accounts below, build the history of this beautiful transformation of a very visible piece of property in North Conway Village as it was changed from a vacant gas station which was 'for sale' to a town park available for a peaceful moment of meditation or a beautiful piece of scenery as you drive or walk by. Thanks to ALL who unselfishly gave both funds and time to make this little miracle happen!



	Representatives of many of the businesses, agencies and private volunteers behind development of the new Connie Davis Watson Park in North Conway, gathered to mark the end of Phase 1 of improvements in November of 2005. In front (from left) are Jim Mesereau and Claudia Needham, representing the Cranmore Mountain crew; Meghan Murphy, Kennett High Key Club member; Sue Tuttle, Tuttle Land Care; Jessica Brown and Diana Lynch of Lynch’s Land Maintenance; Carol Westervelt, committee member and liaison with the Connie Davis Watson Fund; Kim Beals, committee member, Ethel Saunders, White Mountain Oil; and Cindy Russell, Monarch Events; and middle (from left) Merv Wilson and Ben Falcey from Arthur’s Memorials; Jim Tuttle, Tuttle Land Care; Joe Berry, committee member; Blair Lynch and Mike Lynch of Lynch’s Land Maintenance; Glenn Saunders of White Mountain Oil; Chet Lucy, committee member and spokesperson with the Selectmen; Nat Lucy, Lucy Hardware; Dick Brunelle, committee member; Connie Briggs, committee member and liaison with Upper Saco Valley Land Trust; and Ben Saunders, White Mountain Oil; and back (from left) Curtis Kennett, Kennett Corporation; Joy Tarbell, Tarbell Prudential Realty; Mark Curran, Green Thumb Farm and Earl Sires, Conway Town manager.

	Additional work completed after the above photos were taken include the small agricultural building restored by David Shedd of Jackson. The entire building has been restored including a new roof. Also added were Bronze Plaques commemorating the project; and additional gardens. Thank you to everyone who has helped in any way.

	The History of the Project

	“Our goal is to remove a “wart” and replace it with a small town park, positioning it back with the original property now owned and maintained by the Town of Conway and known as the Whitaker Homesite Recreation Area.” This is the one and only goal of a citizens group that has been working since September 2004 to secure the former Sunoco station located on the corner of Pine Street and Main Street in North Conway Village. “Many businesses have leased the property and none have been able to survive on that corner,” stated Cindy Russell, spokesperson for the group. “So, since the property was on the market, it seemed an appropriate and once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire it, turn it into a green space and give it to the town to be appreciated in its proper historical context, rejoined with the original neighboring property from which it was separated more than 60 years ago.” In order to carry out the entire mission, the group has raised the funds necessary to purchase the property. Thank you, to everyone who helped, and in particular, the Connie Davis Watson Fund. In addition to purchasing the land, funding will include removing the buildings, returning the property to green space, and adding some simple landscaping. It is hoped that some of the work that will need to be done will be supplied by local corporations who will make an in-kind contribution, thereby reducing the total amount of cash to be raised. See Below for photos of this work in progress - contributed by Glen Builders ~ Hanson Construction ~ Valladeres Construction:


	Thanks also to the crew at Cranmore Mountain Resort who came to clear away debris and brush to make way for a shaded picnic area.
	There is much to be done ~ grading, sand, loam, more grading, irrigation, sod - and more! We have hopes of saving the "blacksmith shop" as an educational/historic part of the site. This building sits next to the Whitaker barn and both are part of the original Whitaker Homesite property.