The Real Lessons of Summit Beach Park

If we learned anything from the attempts of the Long Lake Rowing Club (LLRC) to build a private boathouse on the Summit Beach Park property, it’s the value of this public space that was so generously donated to the Orono community 44 years ago by the Bruce Dayton family. Why this protracted series of events became controversial in the first place -- and then drawn out over many months from 2020 to March 2022  when the LLRC withdrew its proposal -- is hard to comprehend.

But it seems that our City Council members can be swayed by influencers who either don’t appreciate the Dayton gift to Orono citizens, or they don’t care about it. And that’s a troubling notion that could signal future attempts to shortchange public green space for private special interests. The Dayton gift of property of what is now Summit Beach Park is a legacy to be honored, not threatened.

In a March 30, 1978, letter to the Orono Park Commission from Bruce Dayton’s attorney, Louis B. Oberhauser, the intent is very clear: “Mr. Dayton proposes an outright gift of the property to the City. This outright gift to the City will contain the necessary provisions to ensure that the land will be used for park purposes and that the area will be open to the general public without restrictions as to the area of residency, race or creed.”

There is no doubt that this land – now used in every season and enjoyed by people in our community and neighboring communities – was intended to be public and nothing else. Yet, in a January 28, 2022, letter Mr. Oberhauser again had to remind the City of Orono and its Mayor about the Dayton gift. He wrote, “The City of Orono accepted the deed to this [Dayton] property as park property per the recommendation of the Park Commission. Mr. Dayton’s desire and purpose of this contribution was to keep this property from being developed with structures that would destroy its natural beauty (my italics) and to have it used in the future as an open space and beach for his neighbors.”

So, what are the lessons here? First, Keep It Natural! The intimate size and lack of full-blown amenities at Summit Beach Park are what make it so attractive to many generations of park users. A boathouse – let alone even a public bathhouse -- of any size would swamp the property. Second, Honor a Gift that Keeps on Giving: Bruce Dayton’s generous land philanthropy asked only that the park remains unencumbered by development of any kind. Through the decades his wishes have been respected; that legacy should continue for future generations.

Third, Don’t Poison the Philanthropic Spirit with Unrealistic Park Plans – Anywhere in Orono Parks:  Any development of Summit Beach and other Orono parks has the potential to create a chilling effect on other area benefactors who might want to bequeath more public-use property to the city. Let’s be smart about this and cherish the public park parcels we have – and those we might receive in the future.