What If?

 Fulfilling the Vision

We were reacting to a situation when the Kennebunkport Conservation Trust was established. Local properties were being threatened and those who loved them couldn’t stand the thought of their loss. We had grown up in town; the islands had been our playground and the beach a summer reward. Life as we knew it had remained essentially the same for generations, and we saw no need for it to change. We resisted at first, fighting a development here or a project there, but we found the whole process to be both unproductive and unrewarding. No clear winners emerged from the battles, and only scars were left on the wallets and feelings of all involved. We weren’t against new people moving into the community. Indeed, people with fascinating backgrounds and great ability were donating their talents to the town. They had the opportunity to have chosen many places to live, but in Kennebunkport they had found the combination of ingredients needed to create a home. Their voices contributed to the local dialog and their help was welcome in the local causes they chose to support. We weren’t against building. We had built our own houses and wanted our children to build theirs. It would be hypocritical to stop others from doing the same. In the larger sense, we weren’t against most of the things that we seemed to be opposing. It was an awkward and an uncomfortable time, and it wasn’t long before we came to realize that just being against change wasn’t the answer. What was vastly more important was what we were for.

We were for maintaining the beauty which was admired by all who came to visit or live in town. We were for maintaining access to those resources which were special to all, the islands, the beaches, the shoreline and wooded paths. We wanted no one to be shut out from traditional sources of recreation or enjoyment. We were for maintaining wildlife habitat and diversity. We were for bringing our citizens together in a common cause for a common purpose, young and old, rich or poor, native or newcomer. We were for people getting to know one another, with those new to the area learning of the past from those who were here earlier, and those who were here learning that it didn’t take generations for a person to fall in love with a place. We were for allowing our children, and our children’s children, all of the joys we had derived from the landscape. We were for identifying and acquiring those parcels of land which supported these goals, and piece by piece, with the support of a public that cared, we began to set them aside.

At first it was just about the land. We were an all volunteer organization then, relying on instinct and hard work to substitute for the real knowledge of what we were doing. Just setting aside what we intuitively knew were significant parcels was enough of a victory. As the years have passed, we’ve turned heavier and grayer. Our backs don’t allow us to do quite what we did before. But we are wiser. We’ve come to realize that it’s not just the land that matters. It’s the people’s relationship to the land that we’ve been really working toward for the past thirty years and more. It’s from the land, our land, that we all gain comfort. It’s where our families play and learn and grow in experiences. It’s from the land that we develop our sense of place, gain a sense of security in knowing who we are and where we’re from, and a comfort in realizing that no matter how far life’s journey takes us, there’s always a hometown waiting for our return. When we started we didn’t know where our path would take us. None thought we were signing up for a three decade committee. None of us realized that so many successes and that such a deep sense of satisfaction would keep us going so long. None of us believed that so many of our dreams would come true. But as the sun begins to set on our years of leadership we have learned enough, and come far enough, to ask the question that seemed impossibility so long ago, “What if?”

What if all of our early dreams could come true? What would it take to complete the vision? What would we want to give to our children and the generations of Kennebunkport residents who will follow us? Hopefully, this booklet will have served to answer that question.

First of all, we would want to acquire those last remaining pieces of land which would complete wildlife habitats, trail connections, scenic corridors and public access points. We would want to build the trails and infrastructure necessary to promote their use and enjoyment. We would want to complete and make sound the buildings which would be used for our work. Then, we would want to use this conservation foundation on which to build community. What if seniors could come to the Emmons Preserve, sit in a screened in gazebo, and read, enjoy the nature around them or contemplate the cycles of life? What if seniors and retirees could come to a center for lifelong learning and help document the history and ecology of the community while interacting with others? What if through that process they gained more interest and purpose in life? What if that information could be passed on through other volunteers to our children as they learn about their town through a Kennebunk River Learning Center as well as on individual properties? What if they gained not only knowledge but a sense of place and a value for stewardship? What if all could be tied together by a process from which each would gain insight and enjoyment? What if we looked at the town as a whole and tried to use our resources to bring all of our citizens together with respect and within their individual comfort zones? It can be done. Just as in the past, if we work with others, do our best, give our best and be our best, then the best will be returned to us, for then miracles happen.

Vision without action is just a dream. Action without vision is just activity. Vision and action together can change the world. (Joel Barker)