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Feeling burned by vandalism, fires, Howes pull plug on Lebanon wilderness park for disabled

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Scene of the destroyed business trailer in 2013. (Lebanon Voice file photo)

WATERBORO, Maine - Calling their Lebanon experience a dark cloud in their history, the Howe brothers announced Monday they have abandoned their long sought-after dream to build an extreme wilderness park for the mobility challenged along the Salmon Falls River in West Lebanon.

Geoff and Mike Howe, of Discovery Channel fame and nationally renowned for their extreme vehicle fabrication, had wanted to make the 80 acres they own in West Lebanon into a multi-million dollar wilderness park for the disabled, who would use heavy-rigged wheelchairs like their Ripchair to negotiate rugged terrain so they could enjoy the great outdoors.

But between thefts and vandalism in the past several years and a recent spate of intentionally set fires on the property, Geoff Howe told The Lebanon Voice the message is clear: Security concerns for a potential wilderness park and retreat for the disabled have rendered the idea unfeasible.

"That (wilderness park) will not be in Lebanon, because of all the stuff that's gone on at the property," Geoff Howe said. "Safety is paramount."

He doesn't believe Lebanon residents are entirely to blame and suspects that much of the criminal activity that has occurred on his property is the result of out-of-towners.

For that reason he said he will never again consider a border town for any project.

"Our property is on that front - the border - and gets the worst of it," he added.

Howe said he had high hopes for his property along the Salmon Falls River in West Lebanon, citing its pristine wilderness quality relatively close to urban area, but added the costs for security for the estimated $15 million dollar facility he had envisioned would have been prohibitive.

He also said Lebanon not having a police force played into his decision as well.

"The State Police are there and answer the call, but it can be a long ways for them to come," he said, adding, "It's a reluctant business decision." The 80 acres that comprises the Howes' property in West Lebanon begins just south of the Garage Way dam at the bottom of Prospect Hill Road, and extends about 1,400 feet south along the Salmon Falls River with substantial acreage back to the west.

The acreage included a former Howe and Howe test site and two gravel pits.

Vandals have hit the test site several times, but the most serious incidents occurred in late 2012 when a metal thief cut steel right out of a cargo container used to test weaponry, and an administrative trailer was pushed over a cliff and ruined.

Then this spring several acres of the same property were burned in separate set fires.

In fact, Forest Ranger Matthew Bennett while investigating one of the fires said there was evidence of fires "all over the place."

The concerns caused the brothers to install "No Trespassing" signs at a Prospect Hill Road entrance to the site in 2013, but teenagers often walk right by them as well as gain access to the property by walking south from Prospect Hill Road on New Hampshire Northcoast Railroad Company tracks.

Geoff Howe, however, said he and his brother's idea for a wilderness park for wheelchair users is alive and well, it just won't happen in Lebanon.

He said right now they're looking at sites in the south central area of the state, perhaps around Sebago Lake.

While the two brothers wait on the mammoth donations needed to make the park a reality, they keep busy helping the disabled with smaller, more attainable goals like a bass fishing day on Arrowhead Lake in Waterboro later this month.

"We have made extreme wheelchairs that can ride right on to a pontoon boat," said Howe. "And these guys thought they'd never be on a boat again.

He said they'd also hosted quadriplegics and paraplegics on wilderness hunting trips as well.

The group Outdoors Again uses volunteers as well as the generosity and tenacity of the Howes to make these trips and outings happen. Anyone can visit http://outdoorsagain.org to find out more.

The Howes' Waterboro-based firm - Howe and Howe Tech - develops and fabricates armored vehicle products used by the U.S. Military, utility companies as well as Hollywood filmmakers among others.

It is considered a world leader in extreme vehicle fabrication and one of the foremost creators of advanced robotic platform solutions and applications.

Geoff Howe said he has no clue what they'll be asking for the 80 acres, but that they'll be looking to get an approximate valuation soon.

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