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Bath at Play celebrates first community project with free kids’ concert
BATH – On Saturday, May 18th, 2024, the Bath-based nonprofit, Bath at Play, unveiled and dedicated their first community-funded project, Riverwalk Rhythm, in the newly created Bridge Park, located at 23 Commercial Street, Bath, ME. The ceremony was followed by a free community performance by the Maine-based dynamic duo Amanda Panda & Rob Duquette of KindKids Music. Over 100 attendees enjoyed the concert and free ice cream and snacks provided by Bath at Play. The ceremony and performance were part of Main Street Bath’s Spring into Summer event.
The Riverwalk Rhythm project evolved out of a discussion between City of Bath staff and Bath at Play in November 2022 on a low-impact solution for the then newly created Bridge Park green space on Commercial Street (formerly the Guilford Parking Lot) under the Rte. 1 Sagadahoc Bridge. This ‘FUNctional art’ project aims to bring musical vibrancy to this new green space in a complementary way that is both visually striking and acoustically appealing to all. Bath at Play expects the installation to draw visitors and residents alike to this hidden gem of downtown Bath.
“Even in the rain, the excitement and support for this project was palpable,” says Dr. John Byram, co-founder and president of Bath at Play. “Kids were playing the instrument all morning long; it was fun to see their faces light up with excitement in seeing it and getting to test it out.”
The initial phase of Riverwalk Rhythm involves the installation of a Percussion Play Cavatina xylophone and accompanying music book for a one-year trial. Both the xylophone and 4-page music book are constructed of high-quality marine-grade materials and designed to withstand the elements, year-round. Community input will be gathered through an online survey to help shape this project’s future direction.
This project has been graciously and entirely funded through community donations and in-kind business sponsorships. Since October 2023, Bath at Play has raised over $8,000 for this project toward its initial fundraising goal of $10,000. Bath at Play thanks their community and business supporters including Madeline’s Mission, Precast of Maine, Home Depot – Topsham, Bath Savings Institution – Bath Branch, First Federal Savings – Bath Branch, Morningstar Stone and Tile, Anthony P. Keefe Builder, Sisters Gourmet Deli Bath, Hannaford Cooks Corner, and Maine’s First Ship. Bath at Play would also like to thank the many people at Main Street Bath and the City of Bath who helped navigate this project.
“Bath is the City of Ships, but it’s also a city of music – from the yearlong programming at the Chocolate Church Performing Arts Center to the Summer Concert Series at the waterfront and in Library Park,” said Byram. “We wanted to bring that appreciation of music and art to kids in a playful way that also gets them into the outdoors. We hope that providing our youngest community members with access to an engaging high-quality instrument will open the door to a lifelong interest in music.”
This project is being dedicated to Madeline Marzen, a young resident of Bath who was lost too soon from childhood cancer, and to All the Children of Bath.
