MATTAWAMKEAG – Eric Nott of Old Town plans to get in some serious ATV riding this summer and he plans to do it at Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park and Campground.

That’s why he was at the park Saturday, participating in a cleanup with a few dozen other volunteers.

“Basically I just cleaned my own site,” Nott said Sunday. “I wanted to get everything in shape. I haven’t been on [the ATV trails] yet, but in seeing the brochure about the place, I think it’s going to be fun.”

Located off Wilderness Park Road about two miles east of Route 2, the town-owned park begins its 33rd season, which looks to be its longest, on Friday. The campground will be open until Oct. 17.

The park’s capacity has expanded with a new pavilion and six new campsites, and park managers Peter and Doris Born of Lincoln hope to expand its offerings as well, he said.

They hope to host barbecue suppers and music played by local or regional bands on Saturday nights at the pavilion, which is 40 feet wide and 70 feet long and features a commercial-grade gas grill. The pavilion and park recreation hall can be rented for private functions as well.

The new campsites have electric, water and sewer hookups and a view of the Mattawamkeag River. To make room for the new campsites, two existing Adirondack shelters were moved downstream, closer to the river on a new road.

Among the summer highlights will be the 12th annual Wilderness Park Barbecue on July 26. The public is invited. Anyone interested in attending that barbecue or other Saturday night events should telephone the park by noon Fridays.

Proceeds from park suppers and barbecues will go toward park improvements, Doris Born said.

“We are hoping someday to get cabins up here and more electric sites,” Born said.

Built in 1974, the park was first leased and run by Penobscot County, then by the Friends of the Wilderness Park, a private organization, until 1996. The town has operated it since. The park draws about 250 campers annually. Partially because of changing managers, it has lost money for the past several years, including about $10,000 two years ago.

But with the Borns returning to the park for their second straight year -they also ran the park in 1998 – John Whitehouse, chairman of the Board of Selectmen, hopes business will grow until the town won’t have to pay them a salary, just a stipend or an increase in profits or proceeds in exchange for lease payments.

“It’s the first time in a number of years, maybe since 2000, that we have had returning managers,” Whitehouse said Sunday. “It helps with return customers. They know what to expect. They know the quality will be there and the services will be good. People are really interested in the park.”

The park features many outdoor activities, including fishing in the Mattawamkeag River, 15 miles of hiking trails, and several more miles of ATV trails, Doris Born said. It also has a resident bald eagle that draws attention from wildlife enthusiasts.

“It’s looking like it will be a good season,” Whitehouse said. “We already have more reservations now than we had last year. Having the same management for two years in a row is a good thing.”

For information, go to the Park’s Web site at http://mwpark.com or e-mail info@mwpark.com. The campground may be contacted for reservations at 736-4881 or 888-724-2465.

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