CAPE ELIZABETH -- A proposal for an arboretum at Fort Williams Park gained unanimous approval from the town Planning Board on Tuesday night.

Backers of the project now will embark on a private fundraising campaign. They hope to raise $80,000 to construct the first phase of the arboretum, on roughly half an acre that would be visible from the park's main entrance.

The general idea of the arboretum is to remove many of the invasive plants that have overgrown the park's existing trail network. Those plants would be replaced over time with a diverse collection of native trees, shrubs, open areas and educational gardens. Fifteen areas in the park have been identified for landscape improvements. Supporters of the project also hope to replace dead or dying trees as needed.

The ad hoc committee that brought forward the proposal consisted of Kathryn Bacastow, a master gardener who grew up in Cape Elizabeth; John Mitchell, a landscape architect and owner of Mitchell & Associates in Portland; Kris Murray, whose family runs a local construction and excavation company, L.P. Murray & Sons; and Rick Churchill, a former Cape Elizabeth tree warden.

The 90-acre town-owned park, home to Portland Head Light, is one of Maine's top tourist draws.

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