Scarborough Press Release: The Grand Opening of the “Close the Gap” Eastern Trail segment
Community Invited to Celebrate the Grand Opening of the “Close the Gap” Eastern Trail Segment with Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Scarborough, Maine – July 23, 2026 – The Town of Scarborough, in partnership with the City of South Portland and the Eastern Trail Alliance, is pleased to announce the official grand opening of a new segment of the Eastern Trail that closes a critical gap and creates a continuous trail from South Portland’s Bug Light to downtown Saco. The community is invited to celebrate this milestone with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, August 6, 2026 at 10:00am. The trail is officially open for public use following the ribbon cutting.
The ceremony will take place at the new trail connection at Wainwright Sports Complex at 125 Gary L Maietta Way in South Portland. Brief remarks will be made by project partners to recognize key stakeholders and donors, followed by a ceremonial ribbon cutting.
Spanning 1.6 miles, the construction of this new trail closes a gap in the Eastern Trail and now provides 16 continuous off-road miles for public enjoyment. The new segment required the construction of two new bridges, one over the Nonesuch River crossing and a second elevated over the railroad tracks. Construction began in June 2025 and the project had an initial estimated completion date of October 2027. Thanks to the efficient work of Shaw Brothers Construction, the trail is opening 15 months ahead of schedule.
“This is an exciting culmination of a vision that has been years in the making,” said Eliza Alexander, Interim Executive Director of the Eastern Trail Alliance. “The new segment connects communities through a beautiful, natural trailway that is safe and accessible for runners, walkers, and cyclists alike. We are deeply grateful to the many people who helped get us here.”
Ample parking is available at Wainwright Sports Complex for the ribbon cutting ceremony on August 6. The ceremony will take place a short walk from the parking lot. A golf cart will be available to transport those with limited mobility to the ceremony site. Following the ribbon cutting, attendees are encouraged to take an inaugural walk, ride, or roll on the new trail.
For more information about the event, please contact Nick Cliche, Scarborough Community Services Director, at (207) 730-4151. To learn more about the Close the Gap project, visit scarboroughmaine.org/close-the-gap.
About the Town of Scarborough
Scarborough, Maine is a coastal community of more than 22,000 residents located south of Portland. Incorporated in 1658, Scarborough is committed to responsible stewardship of its natural environment and high quality of life for residents and businesses. For more information, visit Scarboroughmaine.org.
About the City of South Portland
The City of South Portland is a vibrant Southern Maine community of nearly 27,000 residents and over 1,500 businesses located on picturesque Casco Bay. For more information, visit www.southportland.gov.
About the Eastern Trail Alliance
The Eastern Trail Alliance (ETA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization founded in 1999 by John Andrews and a group of fellow outdoor enthusiasts to build, maintain, and promote the Eastern Trail, southern Maine’s premier multi-use greenway.