Commissioners permit public sculpture on county waterfront as part of Ellsworth Riverwalk

Hancock County Commissioners on April 7 authorized the Frenchman’s Bay Conservancy and partner organizations to erect a sculpture on county-owned waterfront property along the Union River, part of a proposed expansion of art along the Riverwalk trail.

The project was presented by Austin Schuver, director of land protection for the Project Bay Conservancy, and Cara Romano, executive director of Heart of Ellsworth. They described plans to place pieces from the Schoodic International Sculpture Symposium along a resurrected trail behind the library and elsewhere downtown, showed a map of proposed locations on county property, and said the sculptures would be funded by grants or private donations; the Heart of Ellsworth is not requesting county funding.

The presenters emphasized local materials and context: the sculptures would be carved from local granite or Ellsworth Schist, and the Heart of Ellsworth and the City of Ellsworth said they are fundraising to improve trail width, walkability and accessibility. Commissioners were shown a map indicating proposed placement on land subject to an existing public access trail easement.

Commissioner Clark moved to permit the Frenchman’s Bay Conservancy and partners to erect a sculpture on county property along the Union River and to authorize the chair to sign an approval letter; Commissioner DiBella seconded. The motion carried 3-0.

The county will execute an approval letter and the presenters said they will continue coordination with the City of Ellsworth and the library on next steps and trail improvements.