Dear Sun Spots: I would like to know the names and addresses of
the city parks in Lewiston. Also, who is in charge of the parks? —
Taxpayer, Lewiston.

Answer: The Lewiston Public Works Department maintains all parks, athletic facilities and cemeteries under the city’s jurisdiction. Deputy Director Megan Bates provided Sun Spots with a list of the city parks and noted that they are in the process of adding this information on the city Web site, along with pictures.

Not included on this list are smaller spaces in the city, such as islands, cul-de-sacs or areas that may be under a quarter of an acre and only have a bench or two. The department maintains these sections of the city as well.

Lower Franklin is next to the Lewiston High School, 156 East Ave., and includes a field track, main field, soccer practice field, baseball field, softball field, tennis courts, maintenance building, two snack shacks and a track building.

Simard-Payne Memorial Park, 46 Beech St., includes a multipurpose playing field, walk path, benches and lighting.

Pierce Street Park, 180 Pierce St., has a swing set, balance beam, spring board, monkey bars and seesaw.

Sunny Side Park, 132 Winter St., has two basketball courts, one swing set, a bench and a multipurpose field.

Lionel Potvin Park, 1 Cedar St., includes a swing set, basketball courts, complex slide equipment and sand area, benches and a support building.

St. Mary’s Park, 152 Oxford St., has a small park with benches and one swing set.

Marcotte Park on Jefferson Street includes a multipurpose field, two swing sets, monkey bars, balance equipment, benches and a support building.

Kennedy Park, 120 Park St., features a skateboard park, an in-ground pool, benches, two swing sets, a slide, climbers, a splash pad and two basketball courts. This is the city’s largest park with lots of green spaces, benches and a gazebo.

Holy Family Field on Sabattus Street, located behind Holy Family Church, has a multipurpose field.

Randall Road Softball Complex has three softball fields, which are converted in the fall to a soccer field, two swing sets and sand boxes.

Court House Plaza, 72 Lisbon St., has a water fountain and benches with landscapes.

Lewiston Athletic Park, 65 Central Ave., behind the Lewiston Memorial Armory, has a football field and softball/baseball field.

Montello, behind Montello Elementary, 409 East Ave., has an athletic field.

Veterans Memorial Park, 2 Main St., features a paved walking path, memorial stones, Gold Star and benches.

River Valley has basketball courts located on Tall Pines Drive.

Boat Launch, 509 Lincoln St., has a picnic area, boat launch (walk-in only), picnic tables and benches.

Knox Street Park, 69 Knox St., has several pieces of playground equipment and benches.

Gas Light Park, 333 Lincoln St., features parking, a walk path, seating and lots of landscape.

George Ricker Park at Bartlett Street at East Avenue has a gazebo, green space and landscape.

Raymond Park, 49 Main St., has a water fountain, seating, small walk path and green space. 

Dear Sun Spots: Did you know that for the last 15 or so years the city of Lewiston has
had a very high rate of back surgery? 124 percent higher than the average in
Maine. National Public Radio is doing a story about health care and as
part of that story we’re looking to speak with people in the Lewiston
area who have had back surgery in the last 15 years. Tell us about your
experience. Please contact Jane Greenhalgh at JGreenhalgh@npr.org or
call her at (503) 452-7411. — Alix Spiegel, National Public Radio.

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be e-mailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.