Peasley Park Ribbon-Cutting in Rockland Honors Leroy Peasley and Opens New Affordable Senior Housing Community

Developers Collaborative
21 hours ago
4 min read

Updated: 21 minutes ago

Rockland, Maine - November 11, 2025

On November 11, 2025, Veterans Day, Developers Collaborative and the Rockland community celebrated the official opening of Peasley Park, a new 49-unit affordable senior housing community named in honor of World War II veteran Leroy “Roy” Peasley, the city’s cherished “Flag Man.”

Despite a cold, snowy afternoon, the ribbon-cutting drew neighbors, veterans, civic leaders, project partners, and new residents to the site, where the community gathered to honor Roy’s legacy and welcome a much-needed senior housing resource in Midcoast Maine.

A Veteran Tribute Park Designed by Aceto Landscape Architecture

The ceremony was held in the Peasley Tribute Park, a memorial landscape shaped through the design leadership of Nick Aceto of Aceto Kimball Landscape Architecture and the vision of Kevin Bunker, Roy’s longtime friend, and the Developers Collaborative team. Together, they created a space rich with symbolism, where every proportion, placement, and material choice reflects the values Roy embodied and the legacy he leaves in Rockland:

The park’s dimensions mirror a folded U.S. flag.
Trees are positioned exactly where the stars would appear on the flag.
A granite octagon mirrors the proportions of the Marine Corps Memorial in Arlington.
A Swan’s Island granite bench commemorates the island where Roy spent his formative years.
Plaques throughout the park share Roy’s story and service, and celebrate his contributions to the community.

This thoughtfully designed space provides a place for reflection, remembrance, and connection - anchoring the new Peasley Park senior housing community in a legacy of service, friendship, and care.

Honoring Service, Legacy, and Rockland’s Veterans

The program began with a Presentation of the Colors by the American Legion Color Guard, followed by remarks from:

Penelope York, Mayor of Rockland
Hannah Pingree, Former Speaker of the House and candidate for Governor
Kevin Bunker, Founder and Principal of Developers Collaborative

Kevin, a longtime friend of Roy’s, spoke about the impact of everyday acts of connection—something Roy embodied throughout his life. Ahead of the event, he shared:

“Peasley Park is the leading and most visible example of Rockland’s approach to addressing its senior housing crisis. We’re especially proud that this community carries Leroy Peasley’s name, honoring a man whose service and spirit touched so many in Rockland.”

After the ribbon-cutting, First Sergeant Richard Vargas, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), led a moment of silence and Wreath-Laying Ceremony in honor of Maine’s veterans.

A warm community reception followed, with guests sharing lobster rolls and Moody’s Diner custard pie, two of Roy’s favorites, before touring the newly completed community spaces and apartments.

🎥 Watch videos from the event below.

The Impact of Affordable Senior Housing: Reflections from Homeworthy

Several new residents attending the event were longtime clients of Homeworthy, highlighting the real-world impact of increased senior housing availability.

Molly Feeney, Executive Director of Homeworthy, shared a heartfelt reflection about the transformation this project brings, not only to residents, but to the staff who support them:

"As I looked around I saw a handful of familiar faces... tenants actually. Humans who have bravely worked with Homeworthy for long periods of time. During that stretch they were turned away from housing opportunities (often because the math didn't work)... but nonetheless those are not always my stories to tell, so what I wanted to share is the secondary impact of housing opportunities. As clients were offered homes at Peasley Park I had the gift of witnessing our team members take deeper breaths and refuel with hope. Supervisions that were once framed around the guttural fear of clients dying from exposure were shifted into announcements and celebration for their long awaited acceptance into a home. These incredible case managers often finish the day depleted and defeated... at least within the realities of this market. Peasley Park changed that for so many. So thank you for taking on the work of building homes for all humans without exception, and please extend a heartfelt thank you to your team for refueling the Homeworthy team. I spoke to one of our advocates this morning after witnessing her client front and center yesterday and she said "It's moments like this that allow me to come back tomorrow." Thank you!"

Her message captured the profound emotional and human effect of building stable, affordable senior housing in Rockland.

About Peasley Park: Affordable Senior Housing in Rockland, Maine

Peasley Park offers 49 affordable senior homes across 2.5 acres at 118 Maverick Street, including efficiency and one-bedroom apartments.

Key features include:

17 fully accessible units
At least 60% of units serving seniors earning 50% AMI or below
Remaining units serving households up to 60% AMI
11 homes dedicated to seniors with special needs

Amenities support aging in place:

A bright community room
Laundry and fitness rooms
Resident storage
High-speed broadband for telehealth
Outdoor raised garden beds
62 parking spaces

The site is walkable to Sherman’s Bookstore and Hannaford Supermarket & Pharmacy, which also hosts a Rockland DASH bus stop, supporting mobility and easy access to daily essentials.

Event Photos & Videos

Thank you to everyone who joined us, to the City of Rockland, to our partners, and to all veterans -for your service, your stories, and your lasting impact on our communities.