By Dawn De Busk

Staff Writer

NAPLES — Putting the sun to work and working out the major muscle groups were topics tackled by the Naples Parks and Land Use Committee in 2019.

Actually, the committee asked ReVision Energy, a professional solar power installation company, to figure out which tracts of town-owned land would be best for capturing the sun’s energy.

Also, the committee tried to narrow down the best space for outdoor exercise equipment. Additionally, the committee has decided to ask the people living in Naples for input via a postcard questionnaire. 

Naples Parks and Land Use Committee Chairman Tracy Hoyt provided an update to the Naples Board of Selectmen recently.

She talked about the committee’s contact with the company ReVision Energy, which has done work in Maine and New Hampshire.

“We asked them to look first at the property on Pearly Road, formerly known as the ‘town dump.’ We welcomed them to research town-owned property” and determine which pieces of property were most suitable for solar panels, Hoyt said. 

“Their findings surprised us. Their advice was the rooftop of the Town Office,” she said, adding that solar tracking panels could offset the town hall’s energy load by 42%.

However, because there has been talk of rebuilding or renovating the town gym or building a community center on the property where the town hall stands the committee tabled any recommendation of investing in solar panels for the town hall, according to Hoyt.

Another ongoing project has been the installation of adult workout equipment and a fitness trail. Originally, committee members eyed the Naples Town Beach as being ideal. But, once the pavilion was built, people on the committee concluded the workout equipment might make the beach a bit crowded.

“We looked at the Trickey Pond piece on Route 114, where the boat launch is. There is enough land to create a path and put equipment there,” she said, adding that the major drawback was the amount of trail work involved.

Upon shopping around, the committee discovered a much smaller version of the workout system designed to be outside. The convenient size opened up the possibilities of where it could be placed.

“We came upon a multi-user, singled-based workout system, kind of like a universal gym for the outdoors,” she said. 

Therefore, a third place that could be used is the Plummer Memorial Fields. The specific spot is behind the shed where there is a public water spigot. The trail and fitness center would run beside the ball field, she said.

“We need a 30’x30’ cement pad for four base stations offering 12 exercises,” she said.

“The fitness trail is on hold for now as it was looked at for the Town Beach and Trickey Pond,” and the committee is unsure how it would fit in at the ballfields, Hoyt said. “All this is being said, we are still in the exploration phase.”

As the committee members have explored the possible future of various town properties, they have wondered what other citizens might have in mind.

Why not ask?

“What we are excited about doing this year is sending out questionnaire postcards,” Hoyt said.

Mailers will be sent to Naples residents. People will be asked what things they like doing on town-owned land as well as what could be developed on certain pieces of property such as the lot next to the fire station known as the Begin Estate. People can mail the postcard back to the town, or respond through an e-mail, Hoyt said.

One committee project that has been very noticeable to passers-by is the new pavilion at Kent’s Landing.

“The pavilion at the town beach — that is our star project,” Hoyt said. “A local construction company really built us a lovely place for towns-folk to gather and use the beach in so many more ways now, whether it be for a family picnic, for the summer recreation program to have lunch and do crafts, or even something as beautiful as wedding — it is a stunning addition to the town.”

“Right now, we are working on having eight picnic tables built, all of which will be ADA-compliant. There will be four at the pavilion, and four to replace or add to beach,” she said.