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| Town of York Website | Send Web Site Feedback to Parks and Recreation Webmaster |
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Our community has one of the most beautiful lighthouse parks in the country. The preservation and up-keep of this historic landmark is extremely important and is largely dependant on community volunteers. Under the watchful eye of the Sohier Park Committee, the Parks and Recreation Department is responsible for maintenance and operations at the Park. Funding is primarily derived from a small gift shop, which is located in the Welcome Center at the park. The Center is open daily from May 4th through Columbus Day. Restrooms are open daily 7:00 am – 7:00 pm.
NUBBLE LIGHT WELCOME CENTER GIFT SHOP May 3rd – May 16th 9:00 am – 4:00 pm, May 17th – October 19th 9:00 am – 7:00 pm NUBBLE LIGHT AMBASSADORS PROGRAM Volunteers Needed! Each year the Welcome Center is staffed with friendly, enthusiastic volunteers eager to greet visitors, answer questions about the park and lighthouse, sell merchandise and promote the “Friends of Nubble Light Program”. Volunteers work one, three-hour shift per week and we are always looking for an extra hand. So if you have the time and would enjoy giving to a worthy cause, we encourage you to consider this unique opportunity. For more information on the ambassadors program please call the Parks and Recreation Department at 363-1040. For the past several years the Sohier Park Committee has been working with Richardson and Associates Landscape Architects on a master plan for the park. The plan addresses traffic flow, parking, handicapped accessibility, erosion control, drainage and landscaping. During this past year the plan underwent extensive review by the Planning Board and the Board of Selectmen. It was unanimously approved by both committees and has been forwarded to the voters for your approval at the May referendum. The vote does not request funding, it simply asks voters to adopt the plan for future improvements.
The Annual Lighting of the Nubble We invite you to join us for this spectacular community event as we kick off the holiday season with the Annual Lighting of the Nubble on Saturday, November 28th, 2009. Festivities get underway at 5:00 p.m. at Sohier Park with entertainment including the York High School Chamber Singers. The event includes traditional Christmas Melodies along with Kiddie Carols - something for the whole family. The United Divers of New Hampshire will once again, plan to raise the lighted tree from the ocean, we’ll have the ever popular visit from Santa who arrives by way of a York Beach Fire Dept. ladder truck and we’ll count down, together, the seconds before the Lighthouse is lit and adorned in it’s holiday lights. There’s plenty of hot chocolate and cookies for all, so we hope you’ll mark your calendar and plan to join us for this free community event. A COMPLIMENTARY SHUTTLE SERVICE IS AVAILABLE FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. THE SHUTTLE WILL RUN FROM ELLIS PARK IN SHORT SANDS BEACH FROM 3:30 P.M. - 7:00 P.M.
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HISTORY OF THE NUBBLE
On Saturday, June 20, 1998, ownership of the Nubble Lighthouse was given to the town of York, through the Maine Lights Program. In all, the Maine Lights Program awarded ownership to twenty-eight other Maine lighthouses, all former US Coast Guard properties.
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We welcome you to visit Sohier Park and Cape Neddick Light Station ('The Nubble Lighthouse'). The Town of York has spent years working in conjunction with federal and state agencies to preserve and restore the lighthouse. We have made great progress in a short amount of time, however, our work continues. The exterior of the lighthouse has been restored as well as renovations completed on all of the outbuildings. We have also manicured and maintained the grounds.
We are offering you an opportunity to join us in becoming a member of the "Friends of Nubble Light". This annual membership will allow you to support the preservation of Nubble Light and Sohier Park. Membership. Your annual membership fee will be deposited directly into the Nubble Light Capital Fund. All proceeds from this program will be used to preserve the physical and historical integrity of the island and park. Your membership will alolow you to take pride in knowing that you have helped preserve a valuable piece of our maritime heritage. We urge you to join our progressive organization as a friend of Nubble Light.
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THE MAIN HOUSE
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Twice each year the lighthouse is adorned with white lights, outlining the houses and tower. The first event is known as "Christmas in July" and the second is the Annual Lighting of the Nubble and both events are held at Sohier Park. 
In 1939, the lighthouse service was disbanded and the responsibility for the lighthouse system was charged to the United States Coast Guard. By the 1980's the lighthouse automation program had begun and it became no longer necessary for the Coast Guard to man the island. The lighthouse keeper left the island in 1987. In 1989, the Town of York entered into a lease program with the United States government. The intent was to secure the historical and architectural integrity for the buildings and insure the safe keeping of this community treasure. 
