ELLSWORTH — The Knowlton School property will remain largely unchanged this summer, but city officials and community supporters have big plans for the future.

Members of the committee planning a community park at the site are reviewing resumes and applications for a fund-raising consultant.

City Manager Michelle Beal said the goal is to raise $400,000 from community donations and another $500,000 from foundation grants and other sources to build a park.

The city has applied for grant funding to hire a landscape architect to assist in finalizing plans at the former elementary school site.

Early plans for the four-and-a-half-acre property call for basketball courts, a walking path, restrooms, an amphitheater, water feature, event pavilion and multiuse court that could convert to a winter ice skating rink. The park also will incorporate the existing playground.

Beal said a landscape architect will help determine the best uses of the property.

Improvements are expected to be made gradually over a few years, she added.

This summer, R.F. Jordan will reseed the land that was under the Knowlton School. The building was demolished in the fall.

For more of the latest news, pick up a copy of The Ellsworth American.