Bath, Maine
Population: 9,266
Located in Sagadahoc County
Nestled along the sparkling Kennebec River, the small jewel of a city is an old seafaring town, and recently deemed one of the best small cities in America! Bath's recorded maritime history began only 12 miles down the Kennebec when 400 years ago the first ship built by settlers in the New World was launched. Shipyards once lined the river's edge and Bath-built vessels sailed the seas of the world. Bath has sailed into the present bringing a taste of her history with her and is now home of the world-class shipbuilder Bath Iron Works. At the south end of the city the nationally acclaimed Maine Maritime Museum is often visited by Tall Ships. Downtown Bath has a unique mix of shops, restaurants and services. The 19th century brick buildings and narrow streets have the charm of childhood revisited a slower pace and a friendly pedestrian atmosphere. The City's tree-lined avenues are graced by humble and grand examples of classic American architecture. This scenic town is named for Bath, England and is the epitome of Maine's seagoing heritage. Bath serves as an employment and service center hub for a much larger region of southern Maine. Located on Commercial Street in Bath, the Bath Waterfront Park overlooks the Kennebec River and offers a panoramic view of the river. Winding foot paths meander along the river with benches placed throughout the park and along the river to facilitate boat watching. There is a picnic area with picnic tables under cover and gently rolling grassy knolls that beckon pedestrians to stretch out and daydream. There is also a restroom facility located at the park. While recreation is both passive and active, the Recreation Commission is responsible for the coordination of many of the active recreation programs in Bath. In 1990, the Department coordinated 37 community agencies/individuals, consisting of 86 sports teams and 23 non-sports related groups, plus the Department's 57 program offerings to provide 3432 organized events/activities at City owned facilities; by 1994, this total increased 30% to 3607. The Edward McMann Outdoor Area provides various fields for formal recreational opportunities. These include football, track, baseball, softball, soccer, lacrosse, basketball, and tennis. Some fields are multi-purpose, allowing open space for informal recreational play, i.e. Frisbee, flag and touch football, kickball, kite flying, model rocketry, radio controlled airplanes, etc. In winter time the snow covered hill is ideal for saucers, sleds, toboggans, and first time skiers. This facility is used extensively by the School Department, Recreation Department and the general public. Courtesy http://www/cityofbath.com
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