Some South Portland residents seek a bigger park near Bug Light

South Portland City Council Gives Conceptual Backing to Liberty Ship Memorial Park Vision – No Money Yet

SOUTH PORTLAND – A proposal to turn an area of the eastern waterfront into a green space called the Liberty Ship Memorial Park at Bug Light has moved from the idea‑stage into the city council’s agenda. On Tuesday, the council voted unanimously to adopt a resolution that expresses support for the plan and directs city staff to help residents work with private property owners about the possibility of converting the land to public use. The council did not approve any funds for the project, leaving the financial question in the hands of the community and future council votes.

A park that remembers and protects

The group behind the idea is the Friends of Liberty Ship Memorial Park at Bug Light, a small network of residents who meet every week to plan fundraising and outreach. Organizer Barbara Dee said the project could take “a long period of time – years – and we’re talking about millions of dollars to get that land.” She laughed off the ambition, saying, “Maybe we’re all crazy.” Yet she is determined: “We’re just trying to build relationships at this point because we don’t have the money,” she added.

The proposed park would protect the shoreline between Spring Point and Ferry Village, create a continuous path for pedestrians and cyclists, and serve as a living reminder of South Portland’s World War II shipbuilding heritage. The park would be adjacent to the existing Liberty Ship Memorial, a monument and plaque added in 2001 that commemorates the nearly 500‑foot‑long Liberty ships produced at the local shipyard, which employed more than 80,000 workers during the war.

Property in the line of sight

The land at the heart of the proposal is owned by the Portland Pipeline Corporation, a subsidiary of Canadian oil company Suncor. The corporation controls about 15 acres of waterfront property that includes a pier, wooded area, two petroleum tanks and a field along the Fore River. According to city tax records, the holdings are worth more than $12 million. The city has no ability to purchase the property on its own, and Suncor has declined to meet with city staff about its plans for the land.

The Friends group has not yet formally approached the owners about a potential sale, but Dee said the group is “trying to build relationships at this point because we don’t have the money.” Property owners, including Suncor, did not respond to inquiries about selling.

Council’s mixed‑signal stance

City Councilor Rachael Coleman said the resolution would help the group “build a park that is a gem in Maine,” but clarified that the city will not contribute money unless a specific budget line is approved in a future meeting. “If they can raise money to do this over time, this will really make us a gem in Maine,” Coleman remarked. City Manager Scott Morelli echoed the council’s position: “The city does not have the funds or resources to acquire private property in this area. Any financial contributions would require council approval.”

The resolution also directed city staff to assist the group in engaging property owners. The city will not set aside any funding at this time, but the resolution reflects the council’s willingness to explore the idea on a conceptual level.

A history of contested waterfront

The waterfront’s past is a backdrop to the current debate. The area that now houses the proposed park was once part of a massive shipyard that produced more than 200 Liberty ships during World II. The site was seized by eminent domain from over 100 families in Cushing’s Point, a loss that still echoes in community memory. When the war ended, industrial developers bought the land, and the city later acquired the site of the Bug Light lighthouse in the 1990s.

In recent years, South Portland has seen proposals for large residential developments on the waterfront. PK Realty Management once sought to build four 13‑story towers as part of its “Yard South” project, and earlier, John Cacoulidis proposed two 41‑story hotel towers. Residents reacted strongly, with slogans like “No Yard South” and “Zoning Change” appearing on signs. The most recent project was withdrawn after the city’s zoning process was deemed inadequate for such a scale.

Not all residents oppose development. John Pani, a community member, argues that thoughtfully designed residential and mixed‑use projects could improve the area, expand the tax base, and reduce the burden on taxpayers. “I would like to see a nice place to live, a nice place to shop and a nice place to work surrounded by park space, bike paths and walking trails,” Pani said.

For many others—including Dee, former councilor Sue Henderson, and long‑time residents—preserving the waterfront as a public space is paramount. Henderson, who proposed the park earlier this spring, warned that residential development would “give Bug Light Park claustrophobia.” She cited environmental concerns, including sea‑level rise and proximity to petroleum tanks, arguing that the area is not suitable for housing: “Humans should not be living there. It’s not appropriate. It’s not safe. It’s not healthy.”

Moving forward

The Friends group is still in the early stages of its campaign. It is applying for nonprofit status, exploring conservation easements, and planning a long‑term fundraising strategy that could involve public donations, grants, and possibly a partnership with the city. Dee said the group’s success will hinge on the willingness of current owners to sell or negotiate a transfer of the land.

City staff are expected to begin conversations with Suncor and other owners, but no formal negotiations have started. The council’s resolution gives the group a platform, but the real work—raising the millions of dollars required, securing a land‑use agreement, and securing public funding—remains a daunting challenge.

As the debate over South Portland’s waterfront continues, the city’s recent resolution signals that the idea of a public park is on the table, albeit without a clear financial path. Whether the park will materialize depends on a confluence of community activism, property negotiations, and municipal will. The next steps will be watched closely by residents, developers, and the city’s planning officials alike.