This article appeared in the Scarborough Leader June 2006, Copyright Mainely Newspapers.
A TRAIL RUNS THROUGH IT – Town Councilor Sylvia Most and Theresa Desfrosses cut the ribbon last Saturday to open a new off-road section of the Eastern Trail. The section of trail is located in the Hillcrest Retirement Community on land the Desfosses family owns. An easement was given by the family to build the section of trail. (Photo by Lucas Knowles)
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Eastern Trail adds another off-road portion in Scarborough
Luca Knowles |
| A TRAIL RUNS THROUGH IT – Town Councilor Sylvia Most and Theresa Desfrosses cut the ribbon last Saturday to open a new off-road section of the Eastern Trail. The section of trail is located in the Hillcrest Retirement Community on land the Desfosses family owns. An easement was given by the family to build the section of trail. (Photo by Lucas Knowles) |
| click here to view more pictures of this event |
Eastern Trail adds another off-road portion in Scarborough
The newest off-road portion of the Eastern Trail in Scarborough opened last weekend, as people were led on a rain-soaked tour.
The portion of trail is located on the Hillcrest Retirement Community property, which is owned by the Desfosses family. As part of a contract zoning agreement with the town allowing an expansion of 175 homes, the Desfosses family granted an easement that allowed an off-road portion of the Eastern Trail to be constructed.
The town donated $200,000 and the Desfosses family gave $60,000 to pay for trail construction costs.
The day began with a reception where a number of town officials, along with the Desfosses family, were recognized for their work in making the new portion of trail a reality.
Theresa Desfosses and her mother, Agnes Desfosses, said they were proud to be able to provide an easement for the Eastern Trail to run through their family’s property.
John Andrews, president of the Eastern Trail Alliance, called the opening of the portion of trail "a historic day."
"This is the result of work done by a wonderful town and a wonderful landowner," Andrews said. "We are opening another mile and we will one day open a trail that runs from Casco Bay to Kittery."
Tony Barrett, a member of the board of directors of the East Coast Greenway Alliance, said the new off-road portion of trail in Scarborough represents "another gem to fill this necklace."
After the reception, people made their way down to the new portion of trail, where construction began last fall. The trail stretches from Eastern Road to abutments from an Eastern Railroad bridge on the Nonesuch River.
After a ribbon was cut, a bagpiper led members of the public on an inaugural walk on the new portion of trail.
With the completion of the off-road portion of the Eastern Trail on the Desfosses property, a link to the Greenbelt Walkway in South Portland is a mile away.
The next off-road portion of the Eastern Trail in Scarborough will likely be a link between Pine Point Road and the Old Orchard Beach line. A portion crossing Scarborough Marsh and running between Pine Point Road and Black Point Road was recently opened to the public.
The Hillcrest Retirement Community is located at 128 Route One in Scarborough, near the Maine Medical Center complex.
The Desfosses family has owned their land in Scarborough since 1944. The expansion of the Hillcrest Retirement Community was given final approval in November of 2004.
The Eastern Trail, which when complete will stretch from South Portland to Kittery, is part of the East Coast Greenway, a trail system that stretches from Maine to Florida.