City Now Owns Cascade Falls

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A Newsletter by the City of Saco, Maine	August, 2008	Return to newsletter index

Developer Elliott Chamberlain hands over the deed to Cascade Falls to City officials. From left, Parks and Recreation Director Joe Hirsch, Mayor Ron Michaud, Saco Bay Trails President Patti Brodeur, and Chamberlain.

A local developer has assured the long-term protection of one of Saco's most recognized natural resources, Cascade Falls. As part of his contract zone agreement with the City, Elliott Chamberlain has conveyed a 17 acre portion of the historic Route One property to the City of Saco. The property includes the Falls, portions of Cascade Brook, and enough acreage that trails and a small parking lot can be developed.

The opportunity for the City to own Cascade Falls came about as part of one of the largest development projects in Saco's history. Chamberlain, whose offices are on Rte. One just north of Cascade Road, received approval for the combined Cascade/Park North subdivision in January, 2008. Development of the 300+ acre project began this spring with the extension of public sewer from its previous termination point, just south of what is now the Prime Ford dealership. The sewer main has been extended along Route One to the Cascade Road intersection, turned the corner onto Cascade Road, then is routed across the Cascade parcel and to a point just east of the town line with Old Orchard Beach, on what Chamberlain has named the Park North property.

Terms of the contract zone agreement include the payment to the City of $50,000 that would be used for trail construction and improvements for the Cascade Falls parcel, and responsibility on the part of Chamberlain for construction of a gravel parking lot off Cascade Road that will provide access for visitors to the Falls. The Parks and Recreation Department will lead the effort to plan and carry out improvements for the property, and is likely to include Saco Bay Trails in both the design and implementation stages.