Monthly: December 2012

Seacoastonline.com – December 27, 2012 2:00 AM

Last week, the Arundel and Kennebunk Public Works Departments combined forces to install 14 mile markers on over 3.5 miles of the Eastern Trail — extending from the Arundel northern boundary to Route 35 in Kennebunk.

Measuring six inches by 12 inches and mounted at eye level, these double-sided signs are stationed at quarter-mile increments along the off-road sections of the trail and they provide recreationalists with a precise location on the trail. More importantly, geo-coordinates of the mile markers will be recorded in the E911 systems of all fire-rescue and police dispatch centers servicing the Eastern Trail, enabling first responders to identify the precise position of any caller requiring emergency assistance. Recreationalists will also find the mileage markers to be a convenient way of tracking their progress while running, cycling, or walking along the trail. These mile markers were generously donated by Southern Maine Medical Center — a longstanding supporter and a sponsor of many charity and health promoting events conducted on the Eastern Trail.

All distances on the installed signs are measured from the Eastern Trail’s starting point at Bug Light in South Portland Harbor and will terminate at the completed Memorial Bridge in Kittery. The idea of installing emergency mile markers was first broached by the police and fire departments of host communities along the trail. A committee of emergency responders headed by Chief Mike Thurlow of the Scarborough presented the sign design that was adopted by the Eastern Trail Management District for the entire trail.

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The trail is humming with energy and events — and it’s not done growing.

By Deirdre Fleming dfleming@mainetoday.com, Staff Writer. Posted December 1, 2012

KENNEBUNK – Since the two major bridges connecting the Eastern Trail went in this year, organized events along the trail have increased twofold.

But to a large extent, the fascination, attraction and use of this off-road, woodland trail has been building steam all along.

“The last wintertime moonlit walk we had was last January. That drew 30! We might beat that today,” boomed John Andrews, the 75-year-old retired engineer who is a driving force behind this trail being built between South Portland and Kittery.

Moments later, 40 interested hikers slowly drove up in the dark behind Kennebunk Elementary School to gather around Andrews and naturalist Joe Yuhas at the trail’s kiosk. And after Yuhas, a former University of New England science professor, exclaimed this would be a natural history hike and search for wildlife, the headlamps went off and chatter ceased.

“You don’t have to take a vow of silence, but we’ll move along quietly and see what we see,” Yuhas suggested.

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