Ever wish you could pile the family into the boat and cruise over to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG)? This year, that wish could become a reality.

CMBG Executive Director Bill Cullina said water access has been part of the master plan for the Gardens for multiple reasons: additional visitor access and new educational opportunities.

Water access moved up on the master plan list after the Knickerbocker Bridge was reconstructed. The new bridge is higher than the former wooden bridge and has wide gaps between its supports.

Cullina said the pier will be in the deeper water, in the vicinity of the Gardens' gazebo.

“We want to have water access for visitors,” Cullina said. “I've even been talking with tour boat company captains about making regular trips.”

Herb and Doris Smith of the Schooner Eastwind went out with Cullina on their inflatable tender  from Boothbay Harbor via Townsend Gut and Trevett to the Gardens' shorefrontage – at low tide.  That trip led to the three have been discussing possible partnerships.

Cullina has also been talking to Tidal Transit Kayak Co., about having kayak rentals at the Gardens.

The pier will be a place to for visitors to go out on the water and learn about the intertidal zone, shorebirds and other marine life. Cullina said he has also spoken with Graham Shimmield at Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science about highlighting lab research there.

“Water access will open up a whole other dimension for the Gardens,” Cullina. “We can envision trap hauling demonstrations, nature cruises, water taxis, connections to the great nearby Boothbay Region Land Trust preserves and other linkages with the tour companies and lodging providers in Boothbay, Boothbay Harbor, Southport and beyond if they think it might be feasible.

“To be clear, we have no interest in getting into the boat tour business ourselves, merely providing expanded access for our guests and opportunities to partner with local businesses with the expertise to do it well and safely,” Cullina said.

“The pier would also be a great addition to the wild woodlands of Maine/Garden and Trail system we hope to build in the near future,” Cullina said. “Of course, all this depends on us obtaining the required permits and raising the necessary funds to build the pier.”

CMBG advertised its intention to file a Natural Resources Protection Act permit application with the Maine Department of Environmental Protection in the February 21 edition of the Boothbay Register.

Several permits must be granted prior to the construction of a 90x8-foot pier at 10 feet wide for the last 12 feet, a 40x4-foot runway and two 12x-20-foot floats.

In addition to the DEP, other permitting agencies are the Army Corps of Engineers, Submerged Lands Program, Division of Parks and Public Lands, Boothbay Planning Board and Board of Selectmen (Wharves and Wiers). Additionally, because the structure will be in federal waters, five Native American Tribes (the Penobscot Indian Nation, two Passaaquoddy Tribes, the Aroostook Band of Micmacs, and the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indian Tribe) are given the opportunity to review the plans/application and give comment. The tribes do not issue an actual permit.

Fairy Village news

Fairy fans will be delighted to know that a human-sized stone fairy playhouse, 12x12-foot, will be erected, once permits have been granted. Cullina said the Gardens was gifted with funds specifically for the structure. No doubt flowers fairies are fond of, such as foxglove, primrose, cowslip, pansies and wild thyme will spring up at some point.

“I am hopeful we will be granted the appropriate permits,” Cullina said. “I think it will prove to be a great asset for our guests and the community.”