Simard-Payne Memorial Park | Lewiston ME

Simard-Payne Memorial Park, located along the Androscoggin River in Lewiston, Maine, is one of the city’s most scenic and versatile public spaces. Blending natural beauty with urban accessibility, the park offers open green lawns, river views, and walking paths that create a peaceful refuge in the heart of downtown. It’s also the main stage for many of Lewiston’s most celebrated community events, from outdoor concerts to cultural festivals.

Setting and Layout
The park sits on the former site of a railroad yard, just south of Beaver Park Bridge, transforming what was once an industrial corridor into a lush riverside gathering place. Its wide-open fields are framed by the slow, steady current of the Androscoggin, where trees and benches line the walking paths. On summer mornings, locals can often be seen jogging along the paved loop, reading on the grass, or simply watching the sunlight move across the water.

History and Transformation
Simard-Payne Memorial Park represents one of Lewiston’s most successful urban renewal efforts. In the late 20th century, the site was reclaimed from its industrial past and redeveloped into public green space. Named in honor of Marcotte Simard and Payne families, who were active in civic life, the park honors the city’s resilience and dedication to community growth. It also forms a key part of the Lewiston Riverfront Master Plan, which continues to revitalize the downtown river corridor with new trails and cultural infrastructure.

Features and Attractions
The park includes large grassy fields ideal for recreation, picnics, or quiet relaxation. A pedestrian bridge connects the park to Railroad Park in Auburn, creating a continuous riverside pathway between the two sister cities. Visitors can enjoy shaded seating areas, interpretive plaques about the river’s ecology and history, and occasional food vendors during events. The park’s open layout also makes it an ideal setting for outdoor yoga sessions, art fairs, and family gatherings.

Community Events and Festivals
Simard-Payne Memorial Park truly comes alive during Lewiston’s many seasonal celebrations. It hosts the Great Falls Balloon Festival, one of Maine’s most photographed summer events, when dozens of colorful hot-air balloons rise over the river at dawn and dusk. The park also serves as the venue for the Dempsey Challenge, a major cycling and running fundraiser that draws participants from across the country. Throughout the year, local music performances, cultural showcases, and farmers’ markets add to its lively rhythm.

Visitor Experience
From sunrise walks to twilight concerts, the park offers a constant interplay of tranquility and energy. The air often carries the scent of river water mixed with grass and food from nearby cafés, while the sound of distant traffic blends with birdsong and laughter from families at play. With ample parking nearby, public restrooms, and proximity to downtown Lewiston’s restaurants and museums, it’s a convenient and pleasant stop for both residents and visitors.

Cultural and Environmental Value
Beyond recreation, Simard-Payne Memorial Park serves as a symbol of Lewiston’s environmental stewardship and sense of renewal. It reconnects the city with its riverfront-once dominated by mills and railroads-transforming it into a place of gathering, reflection, and natural beauty.

Today, Simard-Payne Memorial Park stands as Lewiston’s open-air heart-a place where community spirit, landscape, and history meet under the open Maine sky.