The Pemaquid Villas Story...
Members tend to the vegetables in our Community Garden.
Pemaquid Villas opened in the 1970s and is now a 22-site, resident-owned manufactured home community.
But that transition didn't happen overnight. We began the move toward controlling our own destiny in December 2014. That's when, with the help of Cooperative Development Institute (CDI) and ROC USA, LLC, we formed Pemaquid Villas Cooperative, that would, on April 29, 2015, purchase and take control of our community.
Now, the resident-owned community (ROC) is not only a successful business, but also a thriving neighborhood. The process of the resident-owned community buying the land beneath our neighborhood brought this community closer together. Not only do we know far more of our neighbors than ever before, but we look out for one another, too. And with no outside landlord to report to, we're the envy of other nearby manufactured home communities.
Our Member households elect our Board of Directors, which works with a property management firm and also appoints various volunteer committees to help with special projects, celebrations, community improvements and more. The Board submits a budget every year, and the entire Membership votes on it and any changes to the rent before the budget becomes official. We're running the business that is our community on our terms, by our rules, for the betterment of ourselves and our neighbors.
Pemaquid Villas couldn't be better situated in the peaceful, rocky seacoast of Maine. A small, family-friendly neighborhood, we are located just 15 minutes from the quaint town of Damariscotta, known for local shops and a vibrant art community. Looking for outdoor activities? The 120-acre La Verna Preserve is four miles away and boasts 2.5 miles of hiking trails and scenic views. Take your kayak out in one of the many rivers, coves or bays for a relaxing afternoon. Pemaquid Point Lighthouse sits just down Route 130 and is a popular historical destination. Local kids (and adults) enjoy the swimming hole at Bristol Dam on a hot summer day. Pemaquid Beach Park is two miles away and a favorite place to watch sailboats and soak in the sun.
In the heart of the Pemaquid pensinula just 10 minutes from scenic Route 1, Pemaquid Villas' rural setting enjoys easy access to Bath (40 minutes), Augusta (an hour) and Portland (75 minutes). Day trip possibilities are endless, as are nearby attractions like the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay Harbor and the shops in Wiscasset. Our community is close to two grocery stores, many local restaurants and ice cream shops, and minutes from the beautiful Maine seashore.
Ask anyone who lives in Pemaquid Villas, and we're sure they'll tell you it's a little slice of heaven.
