Bangor to convey 3 acres of Talbot Park for YMCA project; family requests alternate site name

Bangor staff told the Parks, Recreation and Harbor Advisory Committee that the city has committed to convey about three acres of Talbot Park to a project for a building, and the Talbot family has requested that the city identify another location to bear Gerald Talbot's name.

Parks and Recreation Director Ray Souolett explained the background: "The city has committed to conveying about 3 acres of what is known as Talbot Park, to their project, for their building." The parcel was named for Gerald Talbot in 2021; the family asked the city to identify an alternate site to honor his contributions to the city and state.

Committee members discussed options for a replacement or alternate namesake location. Suggestions included dedicating space at Broadway Park or the waterfront green near the flagpole; Souolett said the family's request appears to seek "something more than an amenity" and that the city can offer locations similar in prominence to what was formerly Talbot Park. The committee did not make a formal decision and Souolett said he would convey committee feedback to counsel and the family.

The transfer discussed in the meeting is structured as a lease to the organization building on the parcel, not a permanent sale, Souolett said. He also explained environmental constraints on the site: the property is subject to a Voluntary Response Action Program permit administered by the Department of Environmental Protection because the parcel was the site of a former gas works. "A VRAP permit comes with some pretty specific conditions from the DEP because of what's underneath the ground," Souolett said. He said that amenities such as light fixtures, surface parking and play structures can remain or be installed, but excavation or buried construction is restricted. The committee was told monitoring and consultant oversight required by the VRAP will continue.

Members asked about the portion of Talbot Park that would remain in city ownership. Souolett said the playground and existing structures on the remaining acre would remain and that, if the family prefers a different site, the city could keep the remaining acre as Talbot Park pending the family's preference. "What will remain on that acre is the playground? The structure will stay, the playground will stay. It's all gonna stay," a committee member said; Souolett confirmed that those amenities would remain.

The order from counsel establishing a deadline was discussed; the transcript cites a "day certain" in the order (discussed in the meeting as April 25), and Souolett said the city would revisit naming if the family's preference differs from the current parcel. No formal naming action or ordinance change was taken at the meeting.

Souolett also noted that the YMCA (referred to in the meeting as "the Y") currently uses Hayford Park and Second Street Park for programming; he said the leased parcel is expected to function as a public green space in practice and that the Y's programming could continue to use city parks. The committee agreed to leave the remaining city-owned portion of Talbot Park in place unless the family requests otherwise, and Souolett said he would return with any updates at the next meeting.