Press Release: Southwest Harbor Expands Chris’s Pond Park Through Community Collaboration
Three-acre land donation enhances access and green space in downtown area
SOUTHWEST HARBOR–Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) in partnership with the Town of Southwest Harbor, is proud to announce the expansion of Chris’s Pond, a treasured local park, with the official donation of nearly three additional acres of land. This milestone reflects years of collaboration, community input, and a shared vision to enhance public spaces and preserve natural beauty for generations to come.
On April 8, the Southwest Harbor Select Board voted unanimously to finalize the land donation and amend the existing conservation easement surrounding Chris’s Pond, marking the final approval in the process to expand the park. This project provides the opportunity to improve access, including a new parking area and additional open space for recreation, gathering, and appreciation of the scenic pond at the heart of downtown Southwest Harbor.
“Maine Coast Heritage Trust is focused on ensuring ecological wellbeing and fostering thriving communities. We aim to be a resource for towns, and to ensure lands benefit our communities and quality of life on Mount Desert Island in tangible ways,” said Misha Mytar, Associate Director of Land Protection at MCHT. “Chris’s Pond and places like it—centrally located, with open space for people to gather outdoors—hold tremendous value for communities. We are excited to play a role in this project and want to thank the many people who made it happen.”
“The Conservation Commission of Southwest Harbor is pleased to be a part of the land transfer from MCHT to the Town of Southwest Harbor to expand the Conservation Easement around Chris’s Pond and add additional acreage for improvements,” said Ann Ratcliff, Co-Chair of the Southwest Harbor Conservation Commission. “The pond has a rich history—it began as a man-made ice pond in the mid-1800s and, until the 1920s it actively produced ice for homes and businesses on this side of the island. Since then, it has served as a valued natural and recreational resource.”
Local Commitment to a Historic Resources
The vision to expand Chris’s Pond began years ago when local landowners, the Town of Southwest Harbor, Island Housing Trust, MCHT, and community members got together to explore how the space could evolve to meet the growing needs of Southwest Harbor residents.
Chris’s Pond has long been a symbol of community action. Originally donated to the town in 1957, it was protected in 1995 through the advocacy of local students from the Pemetic School who rallied to save the beloved skating pond from being turned into a parking lot. In 2024, the Conservation Commission created the Friends of Chris’s Pond, a subcommittee that organizes volunteer efforts at the pond and provides updates and recommendations to town officials.
“The additional land and the expanded conservation easement will ensure that generations of townspeople will be able to enjoy Chris’s Pond,” said Ratcliff. “The Conservation Commission and Friends of Chris’s Pond will begin working with town officials and the public to plan improved access, as well as small enhancements like a picnic table and informational kiosk.”
While a capital campaign is being developed to support these improvements, donations are currently being accepted through the Southwest Harbor Conservation Commission.
This land donation was made possible through the generosity of two landowners, contributions from approximately 25 donors, and ongoing support from MCHT and the Town’s Conservation Commission and Friends of Chris’s Pond. MCHT continues its stewardship by holding a conservation easement on the majority of both the original and newly donated parcels. One remaining third-acre lot will be offered to Island Housing Trust to support the development of year-round workforce housing.
About Maine Coast Heritage Trust
Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT) advances the conservation of lands and waters in Maine to ensure ecological wellbeing and foster thriving communities. Since our founding in 1970 on Mount Desert Island, we have worked with partners to guide the conservation movement and support a network of more than 80 land trusts. Together we’ve protected nearly 6,000 acres on MDI, and nearly 200,000 across the coast, supporting the needs of people, plants, animals, and ecosystems. We’re dedicated to ensuring our natural areas can mitigate the effects of climate change and support all people and life for generations to come. Learn more about our work and get involved at www.mcht.org.
All photos courtesy of Maine Coast Heritage Trust