Exploring Kennebunk Pond: Boat Launch Locations

The town of Kennebunkport, Maine, is considering purchasing its first public boat launch site on Langsford Road in Cape Porpoise. The proposed site, owned by Howard and Louise Mooney, has been used as an informal launch site for many years. The Kennebunkport Select Board and Budget Board have authorised a $275,000 purchase agreement, which will be put to a vote during the annual town meeting in June. The site, located about a third of a mile from Cape Porpoise's town centre, already has a working boat launch ramp. In addition to the proposed site, there is also a boat launch at Rogers Pond, accessible via 49 Water St. in Kennebunk, Maine.

Rogers Pond with Boat Launch

The Town of Kennebunk is home to several parks and boat launches, including Rogers Pond. The Town's website provides information on its pest management policy for public lands, which outlines best practices for pesticides and organic applications. One such public space is the Hope Cemetery Nature Trail, a private trail open to the public, located in downtown Kennebunk.

The Town of Kennebunkport, neighbouring Kennebunk, has also been considering establishing its first public boat launch. A proposal to purchase a property on Langsford Road in Cape Porpoise for this purpose was put to voters in June 2023. The site, owned by Howard and Louise Mooney, has been used as an informal boat launch for generations. The purchase price was set at $275,000, to be paid from the town's capital reserve account.

The proposed boat launch in Kennebunkport would be for trailered boats only and would operate as a "dump and go," with no parking allowed on-site or on Langsford Road. The town intends to control access through some form of registration, and there may be a registration fee. The launch would serve residents and individuals with moorings in Cape Porpoise.

Kennebunkport's first public boat launch

Kennebunkport, Maine, is set to get its first public boat launch, a proposal for which will be on the ballot during the town's annual meeting in June. The Kennebunkport Select Board and Budget Board have voted to authorise a $275,000 purchase agreement with Howard and Louise Mooney, the owners of the land. The site, which has been in the Mooney family for many generations, is located on Langsford Road in Cape Porpoise, about a third of a mile from the town centre.

Currently, there is no public boat launch in Kennebunkport, with the closest one being in Cape Porpoise, which is privately owned and has limited access for the town. The new public boat launch will provide much-needed access to the water for residents and commercial fishermen.

The proposal has been deemed a "golden opportunity" by Select Board Chair Ed Hutchins, who highlighted the site's ability to accommodate both large commercial fishing boats and smaller vessels, a feature that is unique among potential sites in Cape Porpoise. The site also already has a working boat launch ramp, which will minimise the amount of work and time required to get the public boat launch operational.

The purchase of the land will be funded by the town's capital reserve account and will not impact the town's mill rate. The proposal has received unanimous support from the Kennebunkport Board of Selectmen and the town's budget board. If approved by voters, the launch will be a "dump and go" facility, with no parking allowed on-site or on Langsford Road.

The town's launch is expected to be for trailered boats only and will likely require some form of registration for users to control access and prevent congestion. The registration process and any associated fees are yet to be determined by the town. This first public boat launch in Kennebunkport will be a significant addition to the town, providing residents and commercial fishermen with improved access to the water and contributing to the vibrant nautical culture of the area.

The Mooney property

The Town of Kennebunkport has proposed to purchase the Mooney property to establish the town's first public boat launch. The Select Board and Budget Board have authorised a $275,000 purchase-and-sale agreement, which will be put to a vote during the annual town meeting in June. The proposed purchase is a result of over a year of work by the town to identify a suitable site for a public boat launch, with the Mooney property being determined as the best option among 17 potential sites considered.

The proposed public boat launch at the Mooney property would be a "dump and go" operation, meaning there would be no parking allowed on-site or along Langsford Road. Instead, it would be a trailered boat launch for residents and owners of moorings in Cape Porpoise, with some form of registration required to control access and prevent congestion. The town already has the necessary funds for the purchase in its capital reserve account, and the acquisition is expected to have no impact on the town's mill rate.

Langsford Road site

The Langsford Road site is located on the east side of Langsford Road in Cape Porpoise, Kennebunkport, and has been used as an informal boat launch for many years. The site is situated between a house and the Langsford Road Lobster and Fish House, and is owned by Harold "Buzz" and Louise Mooney. The Mooneys have generously allowed people to use the launch area for generations, initially leaving it unlocked but eventually adding a chain and lock due to parking issues and other concerns. The site includes a working boat launch ramp, and a marine railway adjacent to it, which belongs to the Langsford Road Lobster Company.

The Town of Kennebunkport is considering purchasing the Langsford Road site for $275,000 to establish a public boat launch. The proposal was unanimously recommended by the Kennebunkport Board of Selectmen and the town's budget board, and will be put to a vote for the residents to decide. The site was identified as the best option out of 17 potential locations by a subcommittee headed by Selectman Jon Dykstra. The subcommittee took into account various factors, including ownership, tidal range, accessibility, shelter from the ocean, and parking opportunities.

If approved, the public boat launch at the Langsford Road site would be a "dump and go" operation, with no parking allowed on-site or on Langsford Road. The town intends to restrict the use of the launch to trailered boats only and to implement some form of registration to control access. The registration process and any associated fees have not yet been determined. The launch is intended for residents and individuals with moorings in Cape Porpoise. To manage congestion, the town may also consider developing schedules for boat launches.

The Langsford Road site is approximately a third of a mile from Cape Porpoise's town center, and its purchase would provide public access to the ocean, which has been a highly desired amenity for residents. The site's history as an informal launch and its ability to accommodate both large commercial fishing boats and smaller vessels make it a unique and attractive option for the town.

Cape Porpoise

The village is a working fishing harbour, with lobstermen hauling traps and heading out to the Atlantic Ocean. Visitors can enjoy the sights and sounds of the harbour, including fishing boats, the Goat Island Lighthouse, and the nearby islands. Cape Porpoise is also home to several dining spots, including Musette, Casa Seventy Seven, The Lost Fire, and Cape Pier Chowder House, where you can enjoy fresh Maine seafood.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Cape Porpoise offers great kayaking opportunities around the harbour and into Turbatt's Creek and Stage Harbour. It is also a popular spot for biking, with country roads that have less car traffic and splendid scenery. There are inns, motels, and cottage rentals available for those looking to stay in the village.

The village also has a rich history. The area was originally occupied by communities of the Abenaki people when Europeans first made contact in 1602. English fishermen began making seasonal residences in the area around 1619, and a year-round settlement was established in 1629. Cape Porpoise was the site of a battle during the American Revolutionary War in 1782, and it has also been featured in popular culture, with singer Taylor Swift filming her music video for "Mine" in the village in 2010.

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