Bar Harbor, Maine – The National Park Service (NPS) recently awarded two substantial contracts to finalize the construction of employee housing at Harden Farm, a long-identified site for workforce accommodation. These awards, made public on December 18, 2025, represent a major step towards providing much-needed housing for seasonal staff at Acadia National Park.
One contract, valued at $3.4 million, was awarded to McKenzie Construction and Site Development of Washington, D.C. This funding will be used to connect the Harden Farm site to the town of Bar Harbor’s sewer system, integrating the new facilities with local infrastructure. The second contract, totaling $7.4 million, was awarded to King Construction of Machias, Maine, and will fund the construction of an additional 28 bedrooms for park employee housing.
This latest contract with King Construction follows an earlier agreement in September 2024, when the NPS first engaged the Machias firm to build the initial 28 bedrooms of employee housing at Harden Farm. With the award of this second phase, King Construction will bring the remaining 28 bedrooms to completion, contributing to a total of 56 new bedrooms that will be added to the park’s existing housing inventory.
Superintendent Kevin Schneider of the National Park Service expressed thanks for the support from various organizations, noting that these contributions will ensure seasonal employees at Acadia have a place to live. Schneider highlighted the critical role these employees play, stating that Acadia National Park depends on them to clean and stock restrooms, rescue injured adventurers, manage visitor centers, and perform numerous other tasks essential for keeping the park operational and accessible. He emphasized that the forthcoming housing at Harden Farm will enable highly qualified rangers to accept positions within Acadia.
Friends of Acadia, a key partner in the effort, also commented on the project. Eric Stiles, President and CEO of Friends of Acadia, shared his organization's pride in collaborating with Acadia National Park to develop attainable housing for the seasonal staff vital to the park’s visitor experience. Stiles underscored that these employees are indispensable for both protecting Acadia’s resources and welcoming millions of visitors annually, and they deserve a safe and stable home. He added that investing in housing is an investment in the future of the park and its caretakers, thanking members and the community who contributed to their Raise the Roof campaign, along with the National Park Foundation for its support.
The National Park Foundation, which provided a $2 million grant, also weighed in. Lise Aangeenbrug, Chief Program Officer, conveyed the Foundation's pride in supporting both Acadia National Park and Friends of Acadia in their efforts to address employee housing needs. She stated that by working together, they can find "creative, local solutions" to care for the dedicated professionals who serve national parks and create memorable experiences for visitors.
The construction at Harden Farm has been made possible through a combination of generous donations and significant federal funds. These include contributions from Friends of Acadia, specifically from their Raise the Roof campaign, the $2 million grant from the National Park Foundation, and funding from the National Park Service’s Centennial Challenge and Housing Improvement Programs, alongside Helium Act funds.
Harden Farm has been recognized as a potential site for workforce housing since as early as 1959. The campus currently includes eight existing bedrooms, which were constructed in 1960. Over recent years, the National Park Service developed a comprehensive plan to add the now-contracted 56 bedrooms to the Harden Farm campus, addressing a long-standing need.
