Welcome to Scarborough, one of Maine s most historic communities and a town on the move! Located just five miles south of Portland, with easy access to major turnpike and highway systems, Scarborough is Portland s fastest growing suburb. Residents and visitors enjoy the luxuries of a rural life on the coast of Maine, as well as proximity to the business centers of the region.
Conveniently located five miles from Portland and intersected by the Maine Turnpike (I-95), Interstate 295 and U. S. Route 1, Scarborough is just minutes from the commercial, cultural and entertainment center of Southern Maine. Portland International Jetport offers an easy, no-hassle solution to traveling in the United States and Canada, while the Amtrak Downeaster train and Greyhound and Concord Trailways buses offer regular service to downtown Boston and the world beyond.
As the fastest growing suburb of Portland, Scarborough is a thriving community that supports over 1,200 businesses. The primary sector of Scarborough s economy is professional services, followed by retail and tourism-based business. In the Greater Portland community, professional services, retail and manufacturing are woven together to create a strong, vibrant economic fabric for Southern Maine.
A coastal community, Scarborough offers its year-round and seasonal residents spectacular ocean views, along with long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches, rivers for canoeing and kayaking, and over three thousand acres of marshes, as well as forests and farm lands. Hiking and nature trails abound, as do conservation lands such as the Fuller Farm, the Eastern Trail and the Scarborough Marsh. For our bird watching friends, Maine Audubon has a seasonal Nature Center located on the Scarborough Marsh. With four courses situated within its borders, Scarborough is also a wonderful place for golfers. There is something for everyone!
Scarborough offers living opportunities for every family and lifestyle. Older, traditional New England homes abound, while newer developments offer a variety of choices for everyone. Several retirement communities and senior housing facilities offer comfortable accommodations in quiet settings, though activities and entertainment are just minutes away.
Scarborough and the surrounding area provide a variety of museums, galleries, concert halls, movie theaters and restaurants that serve a multitude of ethnic foods. Each summer, the Scarborough Community Chamber and Scarborough Community Services provide a concert series with local entertainment, while Portland s Merrill Auditorium, Portland Stage Company and the Cumberland County Civic Center offer concerts, plays and a wide variety of performances year-round. The Portland Sea Dogs, the Boston Red Sox AA affiliate, play baseball at Hadlock Field each spring and summer to enthusiastic crowds. The Portland Pirates hockey team, AHL affiliate of the Washington Capitals, heats up the Civic Center each winter. There are many historic sites in Scarborough and the Maine Historical Society, the Portland Museum of Art and a number of historic house museums provide exhibits and programs on the rich 400-year cultural history of this region for residents, school groups and visitors.
The school system in Scarborough is highly regarded. With three K-2 schools, an intermediate school, a new middle school and a newly expanded high school, Scarborough residents have wonderful educational opportunities for their children. Several area private and parochial schools provide alternatives to the public school system. The University of Southern Maine, Southern Maine Community College and the University of New England provide traditional and non-traditional students many opportunities to pursue higher education.
Scarborough was incorporated on July 13, 1658 and is proud to be celebrating its 350th anniversary in 2008. Scarborough covers 54-square miles, and has the largest saltwater marsh in Maine. In the 2000 census, Scarborough was the tenth largest community in Maine with a population of 16,970. The Town of Scarborough has a Town Council/Town Manager form of government. The Town Manager is the Chief Executive Officer responsible for all town operations. The Town Council consists of seven council members elected for three-year terms. Meetings are held in the Municipal Building on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 P.M. The new Municipal Building, Public Library, Public Safety and Public Works facilities attest to Scarborough s vision for the future. Scarborough has been a progressive community investing in infrastructure and public facilities, and is committed to maintaining a high quality of life for its residents. Additional information about town programs and services can be found on the Town s web page www. scarborough.me.us.
Town of Scarborough Town Clerk 207.730.4020 Emergency 911 Fire Department Non-emergency 207.883.4542 Police Department Non-emergency 207.883.6361 School Department 207.730.4100 Community Services 207.730.4150 Scarborough Economic Development Corporation 207.883.4893
Public Library 207.883.4723
Copyright 2008 VillageProfile.com, Inc. 33 N. Geneva St. Elgin, IL 60120 (800) 600-0134 www.villageprofile.com