Author: Larry Glantz

Maine Public – All Things Considered – By FRED BEVER, DEC 15, 2017

[Ed. note: The Eastern Trail gets a nice plug about one-third into the article]

A proposal to create a new bike path along an existing rail line between Portland and Yarmouth is drawing strong interest from the communities it would pass through. It’s also raising worries that it would interfere with a plan to extend passenger train service from Portland to the Lewiston-Auburn area.

The rail line in question starts at the edge of Casco Bay, next to an imposing brick factory building.

“Right now we’re actually behind the B&M baked beans facility looking at what would be the southern terminus of this,” says Molly Henry, regional coordinator for the East Coast Greenway Alliance, the group that has been working for more than 25 years to realize the dream of a contiguous, protected walking and bike path from Maine’s border with Canada to Key West.

Henry says the path is about 30 percent done.

“Our longest continuous stretch of East Coast Greenway actually is in Maine, and it’s the 87-mile Downeast Sunrise Trail, which stretches from Ayers Junction just south of Calais and all the way into Ellsworth,” she says.

The group now has its eye on this stretch of rail corridor, which runs seven miles from the bean plant along Interstate 295 through Falmouth and Cumberland to a junction in Yarmouth. The state Department of Transportation owns it, and the St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad has a renewable lease for use of the line, although it actually dropped service to the bean plant two years ago.

The corridor’s course parallels an on-road route popular with cyclists of all types, from squadrons of neon-spandexed racers and family outers to lone commuters, such as Ted Reed.

“I’m an executive at Unum. I ride about 4,000 or 5,000 miles a year from the middle of Cumberland Range Road area, every day, till about last week, and I pick it up again around March,” he says.

Reed was one of about 60 people who turned out for a recent presentation on the proposal in Falmouth. And he was one of many applauding the idea of a dedicated bike route into Portland.

“I am terrified in a few places on my commute. I cannot use Route 9 in Cumberland. It’s dangerous — it’s deadly dangerous,” he says. “This would be really, really welcome to people like me. Now, there are not many people like me, but there might be more if you put one of these things in.”

Bike and walking path boosters point to southern Maine’s Eastern Trail, stretching 65 miles from Portland’s Bug Light to Kittery — with 22 miles of it off-road — as a prime example of how they can contribute to local economies, creating new community gathering places, tourism assets and even boosting nearby real estate values.

But there’s opposition, too. Cumberland resident Paul Weiss reeled off a list of rail corridors whose potential he says has been degraded by their conversion into bike paths.

“The Mountain Division, the Sunrise Trail, the Augusta-Gardiner branch, the Union branch, the Maine Eastern Railroad. Those are all railroads that have been ripped up and destroyed or damaged by putting in these trails. And it costs a huge amount of money to ever rebuild by doing this,” he says.

Read (or listen to) the entire article online here.

Sunday, Dec. 3rd, 4 – 5:30 pm. Scarborough Marsh – Route 9 Pine Point Road – Eastern Trail Parking lot – Scarborough Marsh (map)

Come join us for some seasonal caroling on the trail. Meet at the parking lot just off Route 9 (Pine Point Road) in Scarborough.  Please bring an electric candle or small flashlight Refreshments will be available. Donations are welcome. For more information: (207) 284-9260 or email: nancy@easterntrail.org.. Please leave pets home….thank you. 

There will be three Full Moon Walks on The Eastern Trail on Saturday, November 4 – walks will take place in Scarborough, Biddeford and Kennebunk.

• ET Full Moon Walk, 6-7:30 pm Scarborough – Eastern Trail Parking lot – Scarborough Marsh (map). Join our Eastern Trail Director, Carole Brush, to watch the moon rise over the marsh, look for animals, learn about the trail, enjoy conversation and walk in the light of the full moon.  Leave your devices behind and enjoy the peace of the trail.  FMI please call 207-284-9260. 
• ET Full Moon Walk, 6-7:30 pm Biddeford – Southern Maine Health Care, 1 Medical Center Drive (map). These walks meet at the rear of the Southern Maine Health Care parking lot. Leave your electronics behind for a while and join us for a walk under the moon. No flashlights or pets please.
• ET Full Moon Walk, 6-7 pm Kennebunk – Kennebunk Elementary School, 177 Alewive Rd, Kennebunk, ME 04043, USA (map). Join the Eastern Trail for a moonlit walk along the Kennebunk portion of the trail. FREE. Please no flashlights or dogs. Leave your electronics behind for a while and join us for a walk under the moon. No flashlights or pets please.
• Read about the Full Moon names and meanings here.

Will you help us document the impact and value of the Eastern Trail?  Please consider downloading, completing our online Economic Information Survey, and mailing your responses to us. Read on:

The Eastern Trail is a valuable resource in multiple ways: for recreation, for mental and physical health, for safe transportation, for family enjoyment, and—not incidentally— for the economic benefit of its nearby communities. To promote those benefits, the Eastern Trail’s “founding father,” John Andrews, created an economic impact study in 2014, documenting how the ET attracted to local communities users from both Maine and “away,” bringing with them their energy and considerable buying power. That first study (go here to read that study) was well received, but now southern Maine groups have requested an updated report, which of course requires updated information and data. The EIS Survey will provide that data directly from actual ET users, and also give them an opportunity to tell the Eastern Trail Alliance what it needs to do to make the ET experience richer and safer, as we maintain the trail and seek to expand its reach. Clearly, the more surveys we read, the better informed we will be, and the stronger will be our case to potential ET donors that the benefits flow in both directions. So your completed surveys will, we hope, ultimately benefit you, the ET users.

You can view and download the survey here.

We suggest that you print it out on one two-sided sheet, fill it out, put it in a stamped envelop, and send it to us at this address: 
ETA Survey
P.O. Box 250
Saco, ME 04072.

Thank you!

Southern Maine just might have more than its fair share of gorgeous beaches. But when it comes to walking — really walking for miles across packed sand without needing to dodge chairs and umbrellas and small children making a sprint for the ocean — Pine Point beach deserves a spot at the top of the list.

[Read on in this article for an excellent section on the Eastern Trail]

Located on the water side of Scarborough, the more residential Pine Point area borders the tourist attraction that is Old Orchard Beach. That’s not to say Pine Point Beach is a quiet place — on a hot summer day, it’s far from that. But you can always get a good walk in, whether the tide is up or out, making the breakwater at one end or The Pier in Old Orchard Beach at the other your stopping or starting points. Take off from the large paved parking lot at the end of Avenue 5 ($10 per car during summer hours), and it’s a 5- to 6-mile walk to The Pier with plenty of houses and hotels to check out as you stroll along.

If you park in the lot, you can also take advantage of the public bathroom and changing rooms and the Emma’s Eats take-away stand. If you’re planning to bring a four-legged friend, know that dogs are welcome at Pine Point Beach after Labor Day until May 14, all day, but must be on leash from 1 to 3 p.m.

One caution: There’s a stretch of summer each year when parts of Pine Point Beach are covered with seaweed. It’s not pleasant, but you can make it through the stinky brown mush with your flip flops still intact and walk on to better spots (and smells). You’d encounter the seaweed in floating form if you ventured down to the surf, but who are we kidding? Everyone knows the ocean in Maine’s too cold for swimming. (Odds are those people you see out there jumping the waves are “from away.”)

THE EASTERN TRAIL

During the summer and early fall, there’s rarely a time when the portion of the Eastern Trail that winds through Scarborough Marsh isn’t busy with walkers, runners and bikers.

The 65-mile on- and off-road recreational trail that stretches from South Portland to Kittery is perfect for hybrids and mountain bikes and doable on a road bike. There are plenty of spots to park the car and get the bikes out, including a lot at the edge of the marsh on Pine Point Road. From here, you can ride toward South Portland, making your way out to Bug Light, or head toward Old Orchard Beach, Saco and Biddeford. Part of the trail is paved, part is crushed rock, part is packed dirt. All of it makes for pretty easy pedaling.

There are several spots in the SoPo direction where benches have conveniently been added at picturesque rest stops. If you didn’t bring food along, it’s easy to get off the trail, pedal the road a bit and grab a bite or a beverage in Old Orchard Beach or Saco.

Be aware that you’ll hit road crossings in either direction, but stop signs and pedestrian crossing lanes help drivers see you and you see them.

Need a bike? Check out Fun And Sun Rentals on Snow Canning Road in Scarborough where you can get kids’ bikes, multi-speeds and tandems for around $20 a day. They also offer bike tours and have free delivery if you want to do your own thing.

THE PADDLING

You’ll find few better places for a saltwater paddle than Scarborough Marsh. If you come from Route 1, you’ll pass the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center on your way to Pine Point Beach.

The tidal Dunstan River flows through the marsh, which is home to plenty of birds, including egrets, glossy ibis, herons and gulls. You can paddle near the Audubon Center and use the “road” signs conveniently placed at some of the twists and turns, or head toward the bridge that carries the Eastern Trail over the river, where the water opens up on its way to the ocean.

If the tide is right, you may find you can drift away past Pine Point homes and grassy marsh islands until you see a train bridge up ahead. Just remember that the return trip may not be quite so easy when you come back against the current.

If you have your own canoe or kayak, pull into the launch area just before the Eastern Trail parking lot. When the tide is on the high side, it’s an easy in and out here. But when the tide goes out, the water drains away from the dirt roadway making it much more difficult to navigate the slope to put boats in or take them out. More than a few water shoes have been claimed by the muck.

Need a kayak or canoe? Head to the Audubon Center between 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. where you can rent a watercraft to paddle starting at $16 an hour.

Read the entire article online here.

Two years ago, we were contacted by a rider who was writing a book about losing weight.  The ride had already sold out, but he wanted to be part of the event, and promised if we “snuck him in” he would mention the MLR in his book.

We didn’t see him last year, but he joined us again this year (2017). He shared the link of a New York Times article he was featured in, and as promised, wore his MLR jersey for the photo. Note this article is from 2015.

We thought you’d enjoy seeing/reading this article and meeting one of our MLR riders.

Putting the Presidential Candidates (and America) on a Diet

By KATHERINE ROSMAN | DEC. 11, 2015

At the wooden kitchen table in his rambling home in the horse country of Waccabuc, N.Y., Mike Berland, a crisis manager, public-opinion researcher and veteran political pollster, assessed the so-far lackluster campaign performance of Jeb Bush, the Republican presidential candidate.

Mr. Berland, who has worked for the campaigns of Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton and Michael R. Bloomberg, is certain he has identified Mr. Bush’s key problem: He is not eating enough fat.

Read the entire article online here

BY RON CHASE – Seniors Not Acting Their Age
The Times Record  – September 22, 2017

Cycling is one of my favorite activities and a primary source of aerobic exercise. The older I get the more I enjoy it. A runner for almost forty years, a knee replacement compelled me to quit. The knee guy said that if I kept running, I’d soon be back for another one. A certified sissy, I’m not suffering that very painful rehabilitation again if I can avoid it.

Harvard Medical School reports what I’ve long believed. Cycling is a great exercise and a wonderful form of recreation for almost everyone, especially us old people. An outstanding workout, it’s much easier on the joints than walking and running. Those clever folks at Harvard say that cycling is excellent for your heart, brain, blood vessels, muscles, balance and bone density. Just finished a bike ride and I’m already feeling smarter and tougher. Unbalanced since birth, doubt there’s any cure for that. If you’re a fellow geriatric, grab a bike and let’s get out on the trails.

I ride a lot. The actual mileage that I log in is confidential as I don’t want to be accused of being obsessive compulsive, a rumor without merit. Safety is my biggest cycling concern. There are simply too many people driving around sexting, texting and nipping. My preference is to get away from traffic and ride safer bike trails whenever possible.

The State of Maine promotes itself as a cycling friendly state. Unfortunately, that’s not really true, at least comparatively speaking. Many states, perhaps most, have a superior network of bike trails. Traveling to Utah and back earlier this summer, I rode 33 trails in ten different states, most just off major highways. In Florida, they have scores of paved bike trails filled with gray haired people that are spread all over the state. Here in Maine, we only have a handful of true bike trails that allow for a decent ride. Many cyclists consider a ten mile round-trip to be the minimum acceptable distance. The vast majority of our scenic country roads lack a safe shoulder for bike travel. The good news, things are improving.

A great trail ride in southern Maine is the Eastern Trail; the Scarborough to Saco section in particular. My wife Nancy recently joined me for a ride. She’s younger than I so you’ll have to consult with her on whether or not she qualifies as a senior.

Leaving the Black Point Road Trailhead in Scarborough, we rode southerly on the hard-packed dirt and gravel trail for about a mile where a toilet is strategically located. This is just far enough away from the parking area to avoid most of the trashing these necessary amenities receive when the people sexting, texting and nipping can easily drive to them. The toilet is remarkably clean, testament to the fine work the Eastern Trail Alliance does maintaining the trail and its facilities.

Just beyond, riders reach the very scenic Scarborough Marsh. This is such a captivating area that it’s almost impossible to avoid stopping to absorb the wonderful views. I’ve never ridden the trail when kayakers and canoeists weren’t simultaneously exploring the tidal waters. As usual, we exchanged the knowing waves of people mutually enjoying a special place.

Read the entire article online here

By Michael Kelley, Staff Writer  |  Scarborough Leader Online | July 21, 2017

Three environmentally-focused groups are coming together to connect with strollers, bicyclists and runners on the Eastern Trail to gauge what the trail, and the Scarborough Marsh, which the trail cuts through in Scarborough, means to them and educate passersby about the value of the marsh.

This summer, through funding from Friends of Scarborough Marsh and support from the Eastern Trail Alliance, interns from Maine Audubon have staffed an information table along the Eastern Trail Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Friends of Scarborough Marsh Vice President Steve Pinette, who came up with the idea, said the aim of the table is to teach trail users about the “flora, fauna and history of the marsh and the trail.”

Rowan Price, one of the Scarborough March Audubon Center interns staffing the table, said the response has been good. Many users pass by, but others stop by the table to chat, pick up a map of the trail/marsh or look at the display case or hides.

“If they don’t about (the trail) already, they become interested in it after they have walked on it,” said Price, a resident of Portland who is heading into her senior year at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Most of the questions she fields are about the Eastern Trail, but Price, and the other interns, do field questions about the marsh and its ecosystem.

Pinette said the Scarborough Marsh Audubon Center, run by Audubon educator and Friends of Scarborough Marsh board member Linda Woodard, does a “great job” educating people, especially children, about the marsh. Pinette said he was looking for a way to reach people who may not stop by the nature center.

I thought another way to get people would be on the Eastern Trail,” he said.

Better educating the public about the marsh and its ecosystem, is a big part of what Pinette, a retired geologist is trying to do as a member of the Friends group.

“I want to make sure we are fulfilling our mission of educating the citizens of Scarborough and the adjacent area about nature and the environment as it applies to the marsh,” Pinette said. “It is a vital natural resources for many things – for recreation, vital habitat, flood control. It’s a bellwether for global climate change.”

As part of the educational effort, the Friends of Scarborough Marsh will be creating a 12-question quiz to handout to people on the trail and through their website.

At Scarborough’s SummerFest on Friday, Aug. 18, the group will raffle off prizes, including a birding tour of the marsh, binoculars and birding and natural resources books, to those who answered the questions right.

The marsh, according to the Maine Audubon website, has had a long history of use. The Sokokis Indians used the area for hunting, trapping, clamming and fishing. By the 1600s European settlers began using the marsh for harvesting hay for cattle and sheep. When haying began to decline in the 1900s, the marsh was seen as a place to fill for developments and was even proposed as the site of the town dump.

Read the entire article online here

12 noon – 3 pm, 32 LITTLE DOLPHIN DRIVE SCARBOROUGH. 

Town & Country Federal Credit Union invites you to celebrate National Trails Day while spending time on the beautiful Eastern Trail.

Whether you frequently enjoy the Eastern Trail to bike, jog, walk the dog, or will experience it for the first time, this event will offer something for every outdoor enthusiast.

This family-friendly event is free and open to all.

Local vendors including The Eastern Trail Alliance, Fleet Feet Sports and Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland will be on hand to share information about the many ways to use the trail.

There will be a free shuttle from the Town & Country Operations Center to the Portland Farms Road trailhead for bikers, runners or walkers to explore the trail. Visitors will also have a chance to learn more about the Eastern Trail Alliance and its Close the Gap project. Plus, there will be food, games, prizes and more.

Facebook event page here.                          Event poster here.