WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Susan Collins (R-ME) today announced that the Northeast Region of the National Park Service has awarded two grants totaling $74,541 to two towns in Maine. $50,000 will go to the Town of Swan's Island for a Mill Pond park acquisition and $24,541 will to the Town of Fryeburg for a Graustein Memorial Park Tennis Court Project. "Mainers know how vital it is to conserve our land and water for future use," Snowe and Collins said in a joint statement. "The recent grants made by the National Park Service will allow the towns of Swan's Island and Fryeburg to make some headway in conservation as well as provide more beautiful places for Mainers to enjoy." The State of Maine requested Land and Water Conservation funding monies to assist in the acquisition of a 10-acre parcel with 800 feet of frontage on Mill Pond in Minturn, Swan's Island for ownership by the Town of Swan's Island. The purpose of acquiring the waterfront is for the creation of Mill Pond Park for the development of low impact, passive recreation opportunities and to possibly create a hand-carry boat access point. The Town of Fryeburg requested Land and Water Conservation funding assistance to resurface and repair cracks in its existing tennis courts as well as straighten and level the surrounding fence in order to have a safe place to recreate. The Land and Water Conservation Fund is a partnership program that provides matching funds to states and local communities for acquisition, development, and conservation of parks and open spaces. The program is administered by the National Park Service in partnership with state governments. ###