With summer’s arrival, Pine Point residents are welcoming old friends, finishing winter repairs, and raising glasses at their favorite watering holes. They’re also celebrating the creation of a new neighborhood association. The Pine Point Association’s goal is to work with the Town of Scarborough to protect and improve Pine Point, making it a safe and enjoyable place for residents and visitors alike.
The seeds of the association were planted late last summer, at a series of meetings held in Pine Point. The meetings were attended by those who live in Pine Point year-round, summer residents, business owners, recent arrivals, and even people from neighboring towns. The largest meeting had more than seventy in attendance and was led by: Sumner Lipman, a summer resident with political experience and a track record of organizing community associations; Don Hamill, a year-round resident and Scarborough Town Councilor; John Thurlow, a long-time resident of Pine Point and educator/historian; and Heidi Davis, President of the Pillsbury Shores Association.
People in attendance and others polled after the meeting expressed similar concerns: traffic, parking, beach erosion/cleanliness, conditions of the public facilities, and safety. There was a common belief that the beach and neighborhoods were often neglected or ignored by the town. Residents hoped and expected to get the same attention and services that other beach communities, such as Higgins Beach and Prouts Neck, have received and enjoyed from the Town. It became apparent that there was a need to form an organized association to advocate on behalf of the Pine Point community to address their needs and concerns.
Work on forming the association continued remotely through the winter and early spring. The association is registered with the State of Maine and has both a board of directors and a slate of officers, all volunteers. In March, George Mageles, a long-time summer and now year-round resident with many ties to the Scarborough community, was named as association president. He has done a wonderful job facilitating the work of the leadership team and moving the group forward.
Several meetings have been held with local and state officials to discuss solutions to the issues raised in the community meetings. Under consideration now, after a meeting with Police Chief Mark Holmquist and other public safety leaders, is the addition of reserve officers as well as traffic calming measures during the busy summer season. Several sub-committees have been formed to address other issues and concerns, such as beautification initiatives, communication, membership goals, social events, and more.
We are so lucky to live in Pine Point and we are working together to protect this magical place. We are starting a membership drive, putting the final touches on our first epic fundraiser, and promoting the 21st annual Fourth of July parade, planned by the Pine Point Parade Organization (Elaine Richer, coordinator). Our first community wide meeting since the formation of the Pine Point Association will be held where it all began, at the Engine 4 Firehouse on King Street on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at 5:00 pm.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Pine Point Community Meeting
Tuesday, June 25, 5pm | Engine 4 Firehouse, 12 King Street
All are welcome.
Fourth of July Parade & Kids “Fun Run”
Thursday, July 4 | 8am (Fun Run Registration) Engine 4 Firehouse (race starts at 8:40), 9am (Parade) Hurd Park
All are welcome for this annual family-friendly event. Kids ¼-mile race and parade with prizes, plus free strawberry shortcake for all at the fire station.
Want to Get Involved? If you would like to learn more about how to support the Pine Point Association, please contact Board Chair Heidi Davis at thedavishome@comcast.net or Association President George Mageles at gmageles@hotmail.com.
