Help Bring a New Discovery & Recreation Hub to the Schoodic National Scenic Byway

A major community and visitor project is taking shape along the Schoodic National Scenic Byway, and local supporters are working to close the final funding gap. The Schoodic National Scenic Byway has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help raise the last $100,000 needed for a proposed $1 million Discovery & Recreation Hub at the Sorrento-Sullivan Recreation Center on U.S. Route 1 in Sullivan, Maine.

The project has already been selected to compete for $800,000 in federal infrastructure funding. Combined with $100,000 committed by the Town of Sullivan and other community partners, the campaign is designed to secure the remaining local match required to keep the application moving forward.

If funded, the new hub would transform the existing recreation center site into a welcoming, ADA-accessible gateway for the 29-mile Schoodic National Scenic Byway. Plans include a covered timber-frame picnic pavilion, upgraded accessible restrooms, interpretive kiosks, free high-speed internet, a bike repair station, native pollinator gardens, and a children’s “Coastal Forests” educational trail. Together, these improvements would create a more useful and inviting stop for residents, families, cyclists, byway travelers, and visitors exploring the Schoodic Peninsula and Downeast Maine.

The need for public support became urgent after Maine’s Department of Transportation notified the byway organization that it could not provide the final $100,000 in match funding because of budget constraints. The campaign deadline is especially important because the grant resubmission is due June 11, 2026. Without the full match in place, the project could lose the opportunity to compete for the $800,000 federal investment.

Even if the full federal grant is not ultimately awarded, donations will still support improvements at the Sorrento-Sullivan Recreation Center, including the timber-frame pavilion and landscaping. That means every contribution will help strengthen a valued community space and enhance access to outdoor recreation, education, and visitor services.

Supporters who care about the Schoodic region, scenic byways, outdoor recreation, family-friendly learning, and Downeast Maine communities are encouraged to donate and share the campaign.

TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT: https://www.gofundme.com/f/schoodic-national-scenic-byway-discovery-recreation-hub

THANK YOU!