About the Design Committee:

Get involved with one of Heart of Biddeford’s most “visible” committees. Whether you enjoy a park clean-up day, want to add some art to a public area, or are willing to put some elbow grease into one of our downtown businesses, this is the committee for you. Read below for more information about the committee as well as the new Adopt-a-Park program!

The Design Committee, led by Chair Holly Culloton, meets at 6:00pm on the third Tuesday of each month at the Heart of Biddeford, 205 Main Street.

Design means getting Main Street into top physical shape. Capitalizing on its best assets — such as historic buildings and pedestrian-oriented streets — is just part of the story. An inviting atmosphere, created through attractive window displays, parking areas, building improvements, street furniture, signs, sidewalks, street lights, and landscaping, conveys a positive visual message about the commercial district and what it has to offer. Design activities also include instilling good maintenance practices in the commercial district, enhancing the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging appropriate new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning.

Typical Responsibilities:

• Facade Improvement Program
• Merchandise Display and Design Workshop
• Design of Public Spaces
• Design Education
• Technical Assistance

ADOPT-A-PARK PROGRAM

The Adopt-a-Park program is an opportunity provided by the City of Biddeford and the Heart of Biddeford  for local families, schools, clubs, businesses, organizations and associations to serve the community. By adopting a Biddeford city park, your group, organization or school agrees to visit that park once weekly to help keep it clean, and to make note of any condition of the park facility that requires attention by Parks or Public Works employees. By adopting a park and helping to keep it clean, you will be extending your tax dollars by allowing City parks and public works employees to spend their time on major renovations, repairs and maintenance work.  You will also be able to take pride in the fact that you will be helping to make Biddeford one of the most beautiful, pleasant cities in York County. For more information, check out this Adopt-a-Park brochure.

Here is the list of parks that are available for “adoption” by your organization or group of individuals, also indicating which parks have already been spoken for.

1. 315 Main St. – McArthur Library has volunteered

2. Shevenell – New Beginnings Christian Church & Donald MacTavish have volunteered

3. Mechanics – Knights of Columbus have volunteered

4. City Square (next to Bank of America)

5. Liberty Park (corner of Hill St.)

6. Firemen’s Park (Washington & Jeffereson)

7. Williams Court (off of South Street)

8. Veterans’ Park (corner of Pool & Alfred)

9. Pierson’s Lane (childrens’ playground & Joyful Harvest vegetable garden space)

10. Canopy Park (Bacon St.)

11. Cannon Park (corner of South & Green) – Lucy Rowe and others have volunteered

12. Clifford Park

13. Rotary Park

14. May Street

RESOURCES:
New Bedford Storefront Guide

Rehabilitating historic storefronts from The Old House Web

“Authentic Facades & Storefronts That Sell”
Presentation from the Revitalizing Maine Communities Conference, by Christopher Glass and Denis Lachman (PDF)

MURALS & URBAN ART

Wall  Murals of York Pennsylvania