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Visitor Experience
The visitor experience on site is influenced by topography and sensory character. The east side is more accessible, but is exposed to road noise and puts cars and people in close proximity. The west side feels quieter and more scenic, but is not accessible to everyone due to topography. Arrival at the site feels ambiguous due to the lack of a clear destination and reliance on signs for direction. The combination of buildings, vegetation, and topography creates a variety of microclimates in the core area which may be used differently in different seasons and at different times of the day. Pleasant views and microclimates should be preserved, while screening should be considered for unpleasant views and noise.
Wayfinding
CRCT staff reported that efficient circulation during very busy times such as the farmers' market and other large events is an issue. Ambiguity in the entry area and sheer visitor numbers can result in erratic parking patterns. CRCT currently relies on signs to guide people through the front part of the site. Many have a negative connotation (e.g., "No Parking"), which may produce an unwelcoming feeling to those arriving.
Views & Microclimates
The southwest aspect of the sloping hillside may make the site cooler in the mornings and warmer in the afternoons. Much of the site is open, leading to very hot and sunny conditions during the summer months along most of the existing walking paths and activity areas. The mature trees around the farmhouse do provide some shade, but other than a few picnic tables there are no formal seating areas for visitors to stop and rest.
Accessibility
A band of steeper slopes (>10%, shaded purple) runs through the middle of the site and divides the property into an upper and lower zone. Paths within each zone are typically less than 10% slope but visitors with mobility challenges may not be able to cross between the zones. The upper terrace contains the flattest and most accessible areas, but most of these are currently also vehicle routes.
Shady
Hot, sunny
Shady
The best views are along the terrace between the northern end of the barn and the northern property boundary, looking across the fields towards the river. Views to the east are mainly of the busy road and large commercial properties across the street, which are largely unscreened by vegetation or structures. Views to the southwest overlook the solar array and neighboring residences. The lower parking area is readily visible from the front of the barn where most events take place.
Unpleasant views
Pleasant views Road Noise
Turf trails Accessible Gravel Trail
Gravel road surfaces
As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the population of Damariscotta was approximately 1,200. Of these residents, 33% were age 65 or older, and 20% of residents self-identified as having some type of disability. The gravel accessible path to the shell midden has been very popular with older stakeholders, many of whom expressed a desire for more extensive paths with a similar surface around the site. Other path surfaces on site vary in type from mown grass to deteriorated asphalt.
