It's no secret that "Local Flavor" is one of my favorite categories on Yelp. It's sort of this…read morecatch all for anything that's super interesting, maybe peculiar, definitely unique to the area. Like statues of seals.
According to the memorial, "Andre was born in Robinson's Rock in Penobscot Bay on May 16th, 1961. Abandoned at birth, he was found, befriended, raised, and trained by Harry Goodridge of Rockport, Maine. Andrew is honorary harbormaster of Rockport Harbor, and is a celebrity of more than local renown. His antics have delighted people far and wide. Andre is a Harbor Seal (phoca vitulina), the only species that occurs regularly in New England waters. This small park is marinated by the Rockport Garden Club for the pleasure of the public." According to Roadside America, Andre wintered at the New England Aquarium in Boston, but for 20+ years would be released so he could swim back to Rockport (a 150+ mile journey) to visit his friends. The granite statue you can visit today was placed in the park in 1978, apparently Andre himself was there to unveil it!
Personally, I think it's super cool. Seals are one of my favorite animals and Maine is one of my favorite places, so of course I've visited. I sat with Andre, I pet his little nose. Maybe the locals thought I was super weird, but... they also have a seal as a harbor master, sooooooo.
(This is also a super cute little park you can have a picnic in and watch the boats coming and going.)