Glen Mary Park
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Glen Mary Park is located in a residential neighborhood in the southwest corner of the village of Bar Harbor. The approximately 7.5 acre parcel was conveyed to the Bar Harbor Village Improvement Association (VIA) by deed of Mary Shannon, September 18, 1894. Approximately 3.5 acres of the park lies west of Spring Street: the remaining 4 acres are surrounded by Glen Mary Road, Waldron Road, Norris Ave, and Spring Street. The Town of Bar Harbor built a wading pool /ice skating rink on the property and leases the property from the VIA.
Mary Shannon made the conveyance of the park to the VIA with five simple and clear conditions:
Mary Shannon made the conveyance of the park to the VIA with five simple and clear conditions:
"The conveyance is made upon the following express conditions subsequent, to wit, - that the property above described shall be held forever as a public park for the use of persons either permanently or temporarily resident in Bar Harbor; that it should be called Glen Mary Park; that the fine old pine trees thereon shall be specially cared for; that settees shall be placed and maintained thereon for the benefit of the public; and that no buildings detrimental to a park shall be erected on the land."
In 2009, the VIA contracted with Savage Forest Enterprise, Inc. to implement a five year plan to maintain and insure the the health of the forest. Tom Savage continues to be a generous and knowledgeable benefactor of the woods.
In 2010, Dennis Bracale, of Gardens by Design, volunteered his time and expertise to design a plan to aesthetically improve the park by reintroducing flowering species, thus creating a positive and inviting impression from the roadways. The next spring, the VIA, under Dennis's direction planted 17 new shrubs and trees, and worked to subtly improve and define the two main walkways in the woods which were badly eroded. In the past few years, benches have been placed in the park for the pleasure of neighbors and visitors, as have signs requesting the dog lovers who use the park to help maintain it's cleanliness.