Have you noticed the town park lately? With the swim dock almost completely finished, the new playground equipment in, and the overall improvements in landscaping, I think it looks better and more welcoming than it has in years. Sure, it might feel like it’s been a long time coming, but in my opinion, not only do long term improvements always need time and require patience, they also often result in being totally worth the wait.
I look up from my laptop every once in a great while and try to take note of some of the folks that are responsible for such bright changes. One of the people who I attribute these changes to, and not of course solely, but certainly partially, is the Director of Rangeley Parks and Recreation.
It has been a year since Patrick O’Neil assumed the title of Rangeley’s Director of Parks and Recreation, having started in mid-June of 2023.
When I spoke to him a couple of weeks ago, he was as busy as ever, and I could barely get him to stop long enough for a quick photo.
“There’s a lot of stuff going on; working on grants, we have all of these projects going on out around town, plus we got spring clean-up going on. We’re trying to bring everything back to life for the summer.”
Besides the changes to the town beach area, the baseball diamond had a facelift complete with dugouts and all the basketball hoops were replaced.
The playground started in the fall of last year. The structure was up by November. However, because it was the end of the season, no work could be done until the ground had time to thaw out.
O’Neil explained that although there is a lot more work to be done, he felt confident in his ability to reach his goals. So, although he still has a lot of work to do, he seems to be taking it all in stride and appears genuinely at ease in the job.
I’m happy to see it and he is too.
Patrick O’Neil
“I love it. I mean, basically I was doing everything, except for the office work for the last eight years. Working in the parks and maintaining, and doing all that sort of stuff, but the only difference is being in the office a little more. You know, not really used to that, but I’m adapting to it.”
Since 2017 and before taking on the position and title of Parks and Recreation Director, he was considered the small equipment operator. His duties included helping to maintain the outdoor areas including the gardens, the courts, the playground, the beach, Haley Pond Park, and Oquossoc Park.
So, yes it wasn’t a big stretch, but he did have to step up to a more supervisory role.
“They were looking for another public works director and they hadn’t gotten anybody for a couple of months. So then, they kind of decided that maybe move on, and for right now open up the director’s position for Parks and Recreation, because there was a lot of stuff that needed to be done. And that started things.”
Parks and Recreation officially oversees town parks, boat launches and other recreational facilities including: Haines landing boat launch, Haley Pond Park (benches, dock for kayaks and canoes, gazebo, ice skating in winter), Oquossoc Boat Launch, Oquossoc Town Park (playground, tennis court), Rangeley Town Park (basketball court, picnic tables and pavilions, playground, public bath house, public beach area, public swim dock, tennis court), and the Rangeley Town Park Boat Launch.
It’s a lot to oversee, but he’s managing it quite well.
“There is a few new things that I’m getting used to, but beyond that I have total control of everything that goes on out there and I know what needs to be done, since I’ve done it for so many years now. Our goal is to basically get everything up to the point where you’re just maintaining everything.”
Once everything is put in order, he then hopes to put everything on a set schedule: whether that be monthly, seasonally, or annually, for example.
“In the past few years, they were doctoring things that need to be replaced, and now, since I’m in my position, I know what needs to be done and I’m just pushing towards that.”
I expressed my appreciation for putting the tennis nets up earlier than I expected. In years past I remember folks having to put a call in to the office when the weather got warm enough to play.
“Once the snow disappeared, we tried to get everything out as soon as possible because once it started getting nicer in the past few years, people are anxious to get outside after a long winter. So, once the weather got good, we got the nets up and whatever we could get, out there. That way people can get out and start using them.”
As Parks and Recreation Director he also devotes a portion of his time to recreational programming for children with different activities each week.
“We coordinate programs throughout the year. And this summer, we haven’t put it out yet, but we’re working on the summer schedule.”
Park activities include basketball skills and drills, something they call backyard sports like kickball and flag football, and also soccer.
“Everything outside of that time frame, we have stipends for. To help for special events.”
One example of that is that he’s trying to get a golf program going. He has encountered difficulty with scheduling at area golf courses for that but has confidence it’s feasible.
Besides the seasonal duties and daily maintenance, there are also special events, like the Solar Eclipse on April 8th to contend with. I asked him how that went.
“With the amount of people that we had in town, that was one of the easiest crowds I’ve ever had to deal with. We expected to go in the next day and the park being a mess.”
However, he said that other than some trash here and there, there was nothing worth mentioning.
“There wasn’t a whole lot to pick up. They were great!” he said, still sounding surprised.
Like many locals in Rangeley, he wears more than one hat.
One is as emergency responder for Rangeley Fire & Rescue.
He’s been a volunteer firefighter there for 10 years now.
Another hat is behind the bar as a bartender at Sarge’s Sports Pub & Grub. Or you might have seen him at weddings/events at Saddleback or Loon Lodge.
His people skills definitely help him in his role in town government.
“I’m always good around people. I’m good with the ‘perma grin,’ keeping a smile on my face.”
He attributed this to the service industry.
“I think it comes from bartending. I mean well over 15 to 20 years. So dealing with the clientele made me stronger when dealing with the community.
I brought up the idea that being on the serving end of things, even a little bit, is helpful in any career.
He agreed.
“It makes their community relations stronger and helps you deal in certain situations like some people wouldn’t be able to handle. Whether they’re intoxicated or whether you have an unruly person. It just makes you stronger all around.”
Speaking of being in the middle of conflict. I mentioned the summer struggles in year’s past between pickleball and tennis players.
He had witnessed the clashes of people who argued over use of the courts.
While tennis is played with two to four players, pickle ball can have an unlimited number of rotating players. This is bound to cause some issues. So O’Neil met with the pickleball and tennis players and did what he could to help. He also took the next step and tried to anticipate issues. In this way, he thought it would alleviate the tension. Now, as of this summer, there is a solid plan in place to avoid any problems.
One shouting conflict he had witnessed himself.
We both agreed it was a shame.
“But it did bring up the whole idea of the courts being public. So, when you have a group on the court, they can’t be forced to leave.”
It’s not easy to deal with so many different people and groups while also working for the town. I’m really glad O’Neil is in charge. He literally knows how to put out fires, how to prioritize, and keep cool while dealing with all sorts of people, both locals and tourists. Additionally, he has to balance the bureaucracy of local government while keeping ideas of fun and healthy outdoor activities for children in mind. No small feat.
He is well aware of this though.
“The population is growing and people are moving up here. Things are changing.”
True, things are changing, but some traditions, like celebrating Independence Day a day early on July 3rd, probably won’t ever change. I mentioned the upcoming annual celebration and my hope the crowd is as good as the visitors for the eclipse event. He said that it’s way more involved with all various non-profit groups and programs for the children all happening on the same day.
“There’s a lot going on behind the scenes. Getting everything together, everything from parking to working with the fireworks set up. It’s a regular work day.”
Basically, it’s no walk in the park.
Visitors from out of town, Victoria and Rory were looking for a place for son Evan to run off some energy and was happy to find the town park which they didn’t realize had just been renovated.
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