By-pass Sign A new sign will be placed on the Route 26 by-pass in September, naming it Maine Wildlife Park Way. (Photo Staff)

"It' sounded cold and uninviting," said Austin. "We don't want to be bypassed." Austin felt that the identity should be specific to the region of Gray.

She stood at the Revisor's Office in Augusta chatting with an attorney. She was brainstorming ideas for a name. She knew the land goes through the wildlife preserve with the abundance of wildlife visible to travelers daily. It also leads directly to the Maine Wildlife Park, which is a state-wide destination in this community.

All of a sudden, it came out "The Maine Wildlife Park Way!" She froze for a minute, then said "Wait a minute, that's good." The more she thought about it, the more it seemed to fit.

The Resolve (name) was taken to the Transportation Committee on Friday the 13th of April and it was voted on unanimously "to pass."

Steve Landry from the DOT contacted Austin recently and told her that the new signs will be placed at the beginning and end of the 1.1 stretch of road, now called Maine Wildlife Park Way. There is a statutory 90-day waiting period after the adjournment of the legislature, so the signs will not be installed until sometime after September 20.

"This is just one more step to finalizing the multi-faceted demands this important piece of construction required to meet our public with a safe journey and top shelf presentation," stated Austin.