New brochure offers insight into Baxter's mission

New brochure offers insight into Baxter's mission
By Deirdre Fleming
Staff Writer Portland Press Herald

It has been 40 years since Baxter State Park brochures were floating around the state. But that's because the more than 200,000 acres of protected wild land in the center of Maine is not actually a state park, and its rules forbid park officials from advertising.

This year, however, the Friends of Baxter State Park paid for and distributed to the public a brochure on Baxter State Park's mission.

The hope is that the new brochures, which can be found in tourism centers around the state, will help educate the public on the unique -- and wild -- nature of Baxter State Park.

"It was confirmed by my experience working at the park gate (this year) for the economic survey that they did" that the public does not understand the park's purpose, said Barbara Bentley, president of the Friends group.

"I volunteered for 12 hours and talked to everyone who came and went. People were arriving there without a clue what to expect, they were ill-prepared, they didn't have water. The idea behind this is to educate on how Baxter is different from other parks, and if you arrive prepared, you'll have a lovely visit."

The new brochure explains how to plan a visit to Baxter State Park, how to enjoy its unusual wild areas and how lucky we are to have it.

In the first sentence on the first page, the Friends group states: "Baxter State park is unique. It is not really a "state" park. It was a gift to the people of Maine by one person, Percival P. Baxter."

Now, at least 5,000 hikers, campers and wilderness fans will get the message. And that may be a bigger accomplishment than it sounds.

Because of the special laws that govern Baxter State Park, officials there aren't allowed to advertise. The rule is in keeping with their unique quest to keep the park wild, as outlined by Baxter, who gave the park to the people of Maine.

After Baxter died in 1969, his Deeds of Trust, which guide the Baxter State Park Authority in managing the park, forbade park officials from promoting the park in order to help keep the park in its "wild and natural state."

"I remember my parent having a brochure from the 1960s. It was fancy. It told the story of Baxter State Park. Someone told me the money from that was from a certain fund in the budget, then it was decided they didn't have money for the brochures," said Bentley, and as she spoke she produced the old brochure. "It has 1963 as a publication date. The money was from the maintenance and improvement fund and published by the park and the Maine Department of Economic Development."

Today's eight-page brochure is simple but clear, with bold headings directing visitors to nearly every question a nature lover might have, including how to make a reservation; what you need to enjoy the trip to this remote wilderness area; what concerns --like bears -- a visitor might have; and how to enjoy the park alongside its many wild critters, including bears, moose and loons.

Baxter State Park Director Jensen Bissel and park naturalist Jean Hookwater edited the brochure to ensure accuracy and make sure it reflected the park's mission.

The brochure lists the park headquarters in Millinocket as the proper contact for further questions.

In fact, those looking for more information on Baxter State Park should go to the park's Webs site -- www.baxterstateparkauthority.com -- not the Friends group, Bentley said.

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/story.php?id=212023&ac=Outdoors


2006 Press Herald file