Saco unveils Pepple Park redesign concept; staff seeks 9–10‑person committee and funding direction

SACO, Maine — A redesigned Pepple Park that resurrects a historic pond, adds an amphitheater and reconfigures circulation drew broad enthusiasm from Saco City Councilors and staff during a June 16 workshop, but councilors urged further work on parking, funding and neighborhood impacts.

Todd Richardson, principal of Richardson Associates (landscape), told the council the team has been working on the concept “for about a year now” and presented a sketch master plan that removes the school building from the park footprint, reestablishes a pond with a boardwalk and fountain, adds a sloped amphitheater at the existing high point and proposes a primary park entrance off Beach Street.

Why it matters: Pepple Park sits near downtown and within walking distances of many neighborhoods; the redesign aims to restore historic park features while providing space for daily passive recreation and occasional civic events.

Key elements and questions: Richardson described a plan with a primary vehicular entrance and boulevard from Beach Street, two parking areas at park edges, a perimeter path around a reimagined pond with a boardwalk and water interaction features, a performance lawn and an amphitheater integrated into the existing slope. Richardson said the pond “is not intended just to be something that you look at, but something that you can interact [with].”

Director Ryan Summer introduced the presentation and framed three decisions for council: whether the council can envision this design, whether to establish a 9–10 member committee to guide a final design, and how to fund construction — listing options including a bond, impact fees, Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) grants and tax increment financing (TIF).

Councilor input and concerns: Councilor Gunn and Councilor Johnston praised the amphitheater idea but pressed for clarity on seating and capacity; Richardson said he had not yet forecasted a capacity but recommended integrating benches and terraced seating so the space reads like an amphitheater rather than just a sloped lawn. Councilor Edwards and others questioned the illustrated parking, noting Diamond Riverside Park’s limited parking and asking whether off‑site or event parking (Burns School) could supplement the plan. Director Summer noted deed restrictions on Pepple Park: “there is deed restrictions. So…there’s only really two things you can do with Pepple Park. It’s a park or it’s a school.”—a point councilors said resolves some options for the school site.

Committee and next steps: Summer proposed a committee composed of one member from the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, one member from the Conservation Committee, one council member and six to seven members of the public, with a staff and administrator role in forming the group. Summer and councilors agreed committee meetings should be scheduled in the evening to allow broader public participation. Staff said they will work with council and the city administrator to form the committee and bring back steps for funding and more detailed design.

Community reaction: Several public speakers, including Andrew Bracey of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, expressed strong support for the concept and urged the council to treat the park as a downtown destination that will strengthen community activity.

Ending: No formal vote was taken; staff will form the advisory committee and return with refined funding and design recommendations.