If you ever visit South Portland, Maine, you surely cannot miss the ginormous Casco Bay Bridge, you may even find yourself driving over it. However, you might actually miss the small scenic park hiding beneath it. Covering 1.5 acres, Thomas Knight Park is a small yet stunning park offering a peaceful break from the rush happening above.
Overlooking the Portland Peninsula and the harbor, Thomas Knight Park is a gorgeous park with wide paths and well-kept trees and bushes. In Spring, the park becomes more vibrant with wildflowers blooming at every corner. Wooden benches have been installed around the park creating a more welcoming environment. With the park being so close to the sea, the area is a good spot for bird watching, visitors can also make use of the viewing binoculars to get a closer look at the surroundings, particularly the seascape. Interestingly the park is also equipped with chess tables and chairs.
Thomas Knight Park is found at the end of Waterman Drive, an area that only became more pedestrianized after the closure of the former Million Dollar Bridge. Casco Bay Bridge was officially opened on Labor Day in 1997, after that the area under the bridge saw the plantation of more trees and pedestrian paths to make it more appealing and safe. That is when Thomas Knight Park, named after Thomas E Knight, a famous shipwright, was created with the aim to preserve the area.
The park which is open between 6 am and 9 pm, presents a 0.6km in and out trail often used by walkers and joggers. Dogs can accompany their owners on their daily walk, as long as they are on a leash. Visitors can also fish from the pier. While the view of boats crossing the harbor and the sound of the waters hitting the shore is most calming, the idyllic atmosphere can often be interrupted by the sound of traffic on the bridge. A ramp even leads from the park to the bridge allowing hikers to cross over to the other side.
Regardless of being such a small park, Thomas Knight Park is still a breath of fresh air in South Portland Maine, bringing together nature’s beauty and the serenity of the waters. While the surrounding noise pollution is definitely a downfall, the park’s scenery still makes up for it.
