Eastern Trail
News

++ South Portland-Scarborough Feasibility Study Published
++ OOB Construction to Scarborough Marsh
++ ETMD Looks West for ET Construction
++ Winter Outings
++ Join ETA - NOW!

South Portland-Scarborough Feasibility Study Published

Wilbur Smith Associates published the South Portland-Scarborough Engineering Feasibility Study. See www.EasternTrail.Org for the 68 page report that includes maps, costs and more. Also see supporting files. Bruce Hyman, who led the team that published the ET 2001 overall engineering feasibility study, also led this effort.

OOB Construction to Scarborough Marsh

Eastern Trail Management District will shortly seek bids to build the Old Orchard Beach to Scarborough Marsh section of the ET. This section will add another 1.4 miles of open off-road to the Eastern Trail. Completion is expected by summer 2007. Perhaps opening on National Trails Day for the first anniversary of the Nonesuch River section?

ETMD Trustees and ET Supporters Urge Western ET Construction
As you know, ET construction so far has all been east of Old Orchard. South Portland led the way for 25 years building its Greenbelt. Scarborough Marsh was selected to remove the most challenging section of the Off Road ET. The Nonesuch River section on land owned by the Desfosses Family was built entirely by the Town of Scarborough in response to an unexpected opportunity. No state or federal funds were used. What’s next?

ETMD Trustees Terrence Parker of South Berwick and Harry Tomah, a Wells selectman, and Eliot Town Manager Dan Blanchette urge the Management District to begin construction of the western end of the Eastern Trail. With some exceptions the western towns have been paying their ETMD dues without seeing local off-road construction. (Dennett Road in Kittery will soon have paved shoulders along the on-road ET, but no off-road construction has been scheduled.)

Three specific sections of the western end have generated interest and support.

# In South Berwick three miles of the historic rail corridor pass beside residential neighborhoods, open space, schools and recreation facilities. No major structures (bridges) are needed to build this section.

# Along the Kennebunk-West town line are two lengthy zig-zag sections of the on-road ET measuring more than four miles in length. This section could be reduced to less than two miles if the ET followed the old rail corridor. And, no major structures are needed.

# The Turnpike crossing offers the most dramatic possibility. Imagine a bridge proclaiming “Eastern Trail” crossing the Maine Turnpike just east of the Kennebunk rest area.

Eliot and North Berwick town meetings have rejected payment of their Management District dues. To keep the Eastern Trail Management District together and able to continue ET construction, the eastern towns should look hard at the entire vision Kittery to Casco Bay.

Winter ETA Outings

Moosehead Lake X-Country Ski Weekend Jan 26-28
Rustic cabins but with indoor plumbing and hot showers, wood stoves, real beds. Ski groomed trails, cook potluck meals, leave cars by cabins for the weekend. Cost for weekend: $110 per person. Weather will NOT cancel. FMI: Jandrews@GWI.Net

Acadia NP Full Moon X-Country Ski Weekend 2-4 March
B&B farmhouse. Two breakfasts included. Potluck Saturday dinner by fireplace. Ski up Cadillac by setting sun over Blue Hill Bay; ski down auto road under full moon on Frenchman’s Bay. Weather will NOT cancel. Weekend cost $50. FMI: Jandrews@GWI.Net.

"If you can dream it, you can do it."
Walt Disney 

Join ETA - NOW!
Click here to join on-line with a certified-secure credit card accepting application. Become ETA's newest member! Join the campaign to complete the ET.

“Each success only buys an admission ticket to a more difficult problem.”
- Henry Kissinger

“In Maine, an overnight success takes 20 years.”
- Kathy Mazzuchelli, Caribou, Maine Parks and Rec Director

“The worst possible decision is to give up.”
- John Chatterton, SCUBA diver

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