Eastern Trail

MOUNTAIN DIVISION RAIL-WITH-TRAIL GRAND OPENING

After eight years of planning, the Mountain Division Trail is finally becoming a reality. Governor Baldacci, town officials, and project supporters will gather for a Grand Opening Celebration to celebrate construction of the first section of trail on Tuesday July 29th, 2003 at 10 A.M., at the Gambo Recreational Area in Windham. This first four and one-half mile piece will run from the Windham soccer fields through Gorham to the Johnson Field recreation area in Standish, representing the cornerstone of a plan to develop a multi-use trail along the entire 45-mile length of the Mountain Division corridor, which runs from Windham to Fryeburg. Trail users will walk, bike, ride a horse, snowmobile and cross-country ski along the scenic corridor. 

Major partners include the Mountain Division Alliance (MDA), the Maine Department of Transportation, the Greater Portland Council of Governments, the Southern Maine Regional Planning Commission, Portland Water District, Portland Trails, the National Park Service, and the towns of Gorham, Windham and Standish. The MDA is broad-based coalition representing municipalities, land trusts, rail advocates, trail groups, snowmobile clubs, planning commissions, and state and federal agencies. The line was abandoned by Guilford Railroad in 1994 (from Windham to Fryeburg) and purchased by the Maine Department of Transportation in 1997. Though trains are currently not in use along the corridor, the rail lines will be kept in place for possible future rail use, as advocated by the Mountain Division Alliance.

For more info contact BCM Board Member and Mountain Division Alliance President, Dave Kinsman at 935-4283, or John Balicki, MDOT, 624-3252

Directions
Find South Windham on DeLorme's map 5. Follow 202 north across the Presumpscot River. In +- 0.7 miles turn LEFT onto River Road. Follow River Road for 0.5 miles to turn LEFT onto Gambro Road.  There should be signs to the trail head, which is within 1/2 mile off to your right. You'll cross the Mountain Div RR on Gambro Road. Bring your bike to check out the trail following the ceremonies. 

See you there!

Call us (207.284.9260) or e-mail the ETA office