GARDINER -- Carroll Leighton was thrilled to hear the city is moving closer to completing a boardwalk and other improvements at the waterfront park.

The city's waterfront project received a major boost recently when the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development announced it would award a $150,000 Community Enterprise grant for the boardwalk, new lighting and parking, and to establish green areas.

The city last made significant improvements to the waterfront park in 2006 with $850,000 in funding from a collection of state and federal agencies. Phase I included a 525-foot-long timber boardwalk, and a new timber-crib section that stabilized the shoreline.

Leighton, an avid fisherman from Kents Hill, said he spends much of his time fishing the Kennebec River. Monday morning, he was busy unpacking his gear and setting up along side more than a dozen other fishermen.

Before the city built the boardwalk, Leighton had to travel to Rockland or Portland to drop a line, he said.

"I think it's fantastic," said Leighton, a retired crane operator. "This whole area has great potential. I don't know why they didn't do it years ago. The more they do, the more people will become aware of what a fantastic place this is."

Pittston resident George Wagner, a retired New Jersey police officer who moved to Maine five years ago, often visits the waterfront park to enjoy nature. In the winter, his attention often is drawn to an eagle that perches in a tree across the way, he says.

On this cool spring morning, the sunshine warmed the interior of his truck while he read the newspaper in the company of Pete, his four-year-old Labrador retriever.

Wagner said he is glad the city is finding the money it needs to continue with the waterfront project. "It's a nice thing to do," he said.

Jason Simcock, city planning and development director, said the Community Enterprise grant comes after the city was granted a $147,000 federal earmark this year.

He said U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Olympia Snowe, both Republicans, presented the city's request in the U.S. Senate and gained final approval in December 2007.

Funding for Phase 2 now stands just under $300,000, he said.

The state department of development and other state agencies continue to support Gardiner's downtown revitalization and waterfront-redevelopment efforts with this recent grant, Simcock said.

The city has been finalizing a site plan for the waterfront since January.

Kent Associates & Wright Pierce Engineering of Gardiner helped conduct public meetings to finalize a site plan that defines what the waterfront park will look like in years to come.

The goal has been to blend the new expansion area with the original boat launch at that site. The final plan will include recommendations on how to improve gateway and pedestrian access to the park, balance new green space and parking areas, and improve lighting.

"Overall, the plan will create an exciting waterfront park destination for visitors and an economic boost to the city's downtown," he said.

Steve Chaisson, who opened an archery and fishing supply store in the former Lucky Strikes Lane building, at 39 Maine Ave., also said that waterfront development benefits businesses.

He said anglers on the boardwalk were fishing for smelt Monday morning and that he had had a steady stream of customers.

"We're within walking distance from the boat launch," Chaisson said. "People are coming here to buy gear, and that's wonderful. It helps Gardiner as a city and all the businesses. Anybody who comes up the river by boat has access to the whole city where everything is within walking distance. It's a nice little area."

Mechele Cooper -- 623-3811, Ext. 408