The National Park Service recently awarded two significant contracts to finalize the construction of essential employee housing at Harden Farm, located in Bar Harbor. These contracts, totaling $10.8 million, will complete the 56-bedroom housing project and connect the site to the town of Bar Harbor’s sewer system, addressing a long-standing need for seasonal staff accommodation within Acadia National Park.
A $3.4 million contract was awarded to McKenzie Construction and Site Development of Washington, D.C., to link the Harden Farm site to Bar Harbor’s municipal sewer system. Concurrently, a $7.4 million contract was secured by King Construction of Machias, Maine, to construct an additional 28 bedrooms for park employee housing. This latest award represents the second phase of the housing construction, bringing the total number of new bedrooms at the site to 56. King Construction had previously received a contract in September 2024 for the initial 28 bedrooms of employee housing. With these two phases, the park’s housing inventory will gain 56 new bedrooms at Harden Farm.
Superintendent Kevin Schneider highlighted the critical importance of these developments. He stated that thanks to "generous donations from Friends of Acadia and the National Park Foundation, along with significant federal funds," seasonal employees at Acadia will now have a place to live. Schneider underscored the ongoing demand for park staff, noting that Acadia National Park relies on employees to maintain restrooms, restock supplies, assist injured visitors, manage visitor centers, and perform numerous other tasks crucial for keeping the park operational and accessible. He emphasized that the forthcoming housing at Harden Farm will enable the park to attract and retain skilled rangers for positions within Acadia.
Eric Stiles, President and CEO of Friends of Acadia, affirmed the organization's commitment to the project. Stiles stated that Friends of Acadia is "proud to partner with Acadia National Park to help create attainable housing that supports the seasonal staff who make the park’s visitor experience possible." He stressed that these employees are vital for safeguarding Acadia’s natural resources and accommodating the millions of visitors who come each year, and they merit a secure and stable place to reside. Stiles concluded that investing in housing signifies an investment in the future of the park and the dedicated individuals who care for it, expressing gratitude to members, the community for their contributions to the Raise the Roof campaign, and the National Park Foundation for their support.
The construction at Harden Farm has been made possible through a variety of funding sources. These include donations from Friends of Acadia, incorporating funds from their Raise the Roof campaign, and a substantial $2 million grant from the National Park Foundation. Further funding has come from federal sources, specifically the National Park Service’s Centennial Challenge and Housing Improvement Programs, alongside Helium Act funds.
Lise Aangeenbrug, Chief Program Officer at the National Park Foundation, commented on their role. She expressed pride in supporting Acadia National Park and the Friends of Acadia in their collaborative efforts to address the pressing need for employee housing. Aangeenbrug noted that by working together, "we can find creative, local solutions to take care of the dedicated professionals who care for our national parks and create unforgettable experiences for visitors."
The Harden Farm property has a long history as a potential site for workforce housing, having been identified for this purpose as far back as 1959. The campus currently includes eight existing bedrooms that were constructed in 1960. Over the past several years, the National Park Service developed a comprehensive plan to add a total of 56 bedrooms of employee housing on the Harden Farm campus, a plan that is now moving towards full realization with the awarding of these latest contracts.
