The Friends of Reid State Park is a 501 (c)3 volunteer organization formed in 2023 to provide support, assistance, and resources to Reid State Park and its staff. Through stewardship, conservation, advocacy, and education, the purpose of The Friends is to preserve and enhance the cultural heritage and natural environment of this treasured state park.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President/Director: James Peavey
Vice President/Director: Roger Bogart
Treasurer/Director: Rufus Brown
Secretary/Director: Gary Pankey
Director: Jessica Weller
Director, ex-Officio: Haylee Parsons (Reid State Park Manager)
ADVISORY BOARD
Gary Best (Southern Regional Manager of State Parks)
Gregg Clemmons
Frank Pinkham
Ruth Indrick (KELT)
Lee Cooper
Kathy Gravino
Kristen Start
Ernie Freeberg
Jon Hentz
Hollis James
Born and raised in Bath, James bought land in Georgetown and built his home here 45 years ago. As a young child, he learned to swim in the lagoon at Reid, and the park has always been a special part of his life. He spent 20 years in management positions at BIW, 12 years running a cabinet shop specializing in custom, period cabinetry, where the company's products were featured in four"This Old House" projects on PBS. He finished his career at the United Way, working in community service areas such as public health, elder supports, and domestic violence prevention. James was the Board President of the Bath YMCA when the new facility was built. In 2017 he founded Age-FriendlyGeorgetown, a community group of volunteers providing services and resources to all residents, from the young to the town’s elders. He led the development of the Friends of Reid State Park and as its current President, is committed to the restoration, continued development, and enhancement of this natural wonder for all to enjoy.
Roger retired 12 years ago from his life as a landscaper and arborist in Connecticut. He moved to Georgetown and became very involved in many town activities including: Age Friendly, Conservation Commission, Board of Appeals, Georgetown Island Education Foundation, KELT, landscaping at the library, phytoplankton testing for department of Marine Resources, courses at the Senior College and much more. In 2024 he was voted Georgetown’s Citizen of the Year. Roger lives one mile from Reid and visits the park at least once every day.
Rufus joins the Board as Treasurer after retiring from the practice of law with his wife as Brown & Burke in Portland. Previously he worked for a major law firm in Portland and before that served as Deputy Attorney General, Chief of the Litigation Division. He has enjoyed visiting Reid State Park since early childhood while summering on MacMahan Island and now walks in the Park almost daily from his house in the Robinhood area of Georgetown built by his brother 20 years ago. His passions beyond family are traveling with his wife, sailing in Sheepscot Bay, cross country skiing, and writing short stories.
Upon retiring from a career in IT, Gary has been immersing himself in community activities ranging from helping community members with their technology needs and other odd tasks. Gary serves on the town's Recreation Committee, volunteers with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, and volunteers with the Friends of Reid State Park. Gary enjoys being active, lobstering, gardening, boating, walks in the park and especially being with family.
Jessica and her family fell in love with Georgetown the minute they first crossed the bridge. Their first trip to Reid State Park was in the pouring rain but even through limited views they were in awe of Reid’s beauty. Since that first visit, they have spent numerous hours exploring the park through all four seasons. Jessica has a degree in Zoology and a Masters in Education, though her favorite teaching job was homeschooling her two children for eleven years. She also serves as Chair of the Georgetown Conservation Commission, Head of Publicity for the Georgetown Working League, PTO President of her children’s high school and volunteers at the Richard’s Library.
Haylee started her career in Parks while in college working summers as a Laborer, Assistant Park Ranger, and Park Ranger. Soon after graduating from the University of Southern Maine with a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning and Policy, Haylee went on to be the Park Manager of Lamoine State Park. After two successful years Downeast, Haylee has planted her roots in Georgetown as the Manager of Reid State Park. Haylee hopes to continue with the mission of encouraging safe and inclusive spaces for outdoor recreational and educational opportunities, while preserving the natural and cultural resources of the Park for generations to come. Haylee will continue to work towards the mission of the Park by creating better accessibility for all where possible, providing spaces for educational outreach to be taught and discovered, and all conservation efforts in the best interest of the Park. The community volunteer support in helping reach these goals has been a fantastic partnership, to hopefully continue for many years!
“In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks."Get in Touch
-John Muir
