Mary’s Walk to top $300,000 – Section of Eastern Trail will be dedicated

Wednesday, March 19, 2014 by Kayla J. Collins kayla@keepmecurrent.com

SACO – A 2-mile section of the Eastern Trail that runs from Clark Street behind Thornton Academy to the trail kiosk on Route 1 by Hannaford is being dedicated by the city of Saco to Mary Kerry Libby, for which the annual Mary’s Walk is named.

“We’re dedicating a piece of the trail and naming it ‘Mary’s Walk’ so that Mary Libby will always be in the thoughts and prayers of the people who use the trail 365 days a year, rather than just on one day,” said Saco’s Mayor Don Pilon, referring to the annual Mary’s Walk and Kerrymen Pub 5K, which was held March 16.

Pilon announced the trail dedication at the event, which raises money for the Maine Cancer Foundation. It was organized in 1999 in memory of Mary Kerry Libby, a well-known Saco resident who died of cancer in 1997.

“The Libby and Kerry families have made such a success of this event and have made such a significant contribution to the Maine Cancer Foundation that we wanted to continue the memory of Mary Libby throughout the year,” Pilon said.

According to Pilon, area residents use that particular portion of the Eastern Trail for recreational purposes year-round. He figures by naming that section of the trail in honor of Mary Kerry Libby, people will be reminded of her whenever they walk, bike or run the trail.  

In May, though a specific day has not been set, the city will dedicate the portion of trail to Mary Kerry Libby and install a plaque at each of the trail heads in her honor, according to Pilon. 

Read the entire news article on-line here.

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By Alex Acquisto,Staff Writer – February 28, 2014

ARUNDEL — The board of selectmen, on Monday night, decided to move forward with plans to install five gravel parking spaces at the Eastern Trail access point on Limerick Road.

The zoning ordinance that pertains to Limerick Road prohibits parking at the Eastern Trail access point. Residents will have to vote in a special town meeting to change the road ordinance before construction can begin.

“The construction of the parking spaces isn’t really the issue as much as the changing the ordinance that would legally change the right to park there,” said Town Planner Tad Redway.

Public Works Director Roger Taschereau presented to the selectmen at the Feb. 24 meeting the possibility of paved or gravel spaces.

The spaces would be on the northwest side of Limerick Road.

While the money exists in the parks and recreation reserve fund to subsidize the paving option, it is considerably more expensive, said Town Manager Todd Shea.

Read the Full Article on-line here.

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By Jennifer Galipeau,yccs@seacoastonline.com – February 27, 2014

ARUNDEL — The town of Arundel will be adding some parking spaces along the Limerick Road portion of the Eastern Trail.

Public Works Director Roger Taschereau, presented the request to the Board of Selectmen at its Feb. 24 meeting.

Currently, two parking spots are designated for handicap drop-offs and there are no designated parking spaces available along Limerick Road for individuals to gain access to the Eastern Trail. The closest parking available is at the town hall and fire station, almost 1/4 of a mile away from the trail’s entry.

The “NO PARKING” signs that are posted along Limerick Road are often ignored and result in parked cars along the side of the road, which due to the amount of traffic on the road and the lack of shoulder, presents a dangerous situation as cars travelling on the road are often swerving around parked vehicles, officials said.

Pedestrians are also required to cross Limerick Road to continue on the Eastern Trail. Parked cars make it difficult for pedestrians to be seen crossing and create the potential for an individual to be struck by a car swerving around a parked vehicle, they said.

The Board of Selectmen approved a small, gravel parking lot of approximately five spots which will be located on the northwest side of Limerick Road — opposite the Talbot Woods development.

Tashereau did propose a paved lot to reduce the maintenance of gravel, but the board elected to start with the less expensive gravel with the possibility of eventually paving the lot.

Read the Full Article on-line here.

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A Project Canopy grant will allow for trail improvements on two town-owned parcels of land.

By Gillian Graham, Staff Writer

[Editor’s note: This will be a great addition, with a new trail system and parking right off the Eastern Trail. The Eastern Trail Alliance and the Eastern Trail Maintenance District both submitted letters of support that accompanied the Project Canopy grant request.]

Old Orchard Beach will develop two town-owned areas as community-managed forests with a grant from the state’s community forestry program.

The $8,000 grant from Project Canopy, the state Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry’s community forestry program, will allow the town’s Conservation Commission to expand a trail system and extend access to natural recreation areas.

Milliken Mill Woods, a 51-acre parcel on Portland Avenue, was given to the town 14 years ago by Janice Milliken Andrews to be used for low-impact bicycling and hiking. The second parcel, about 17 acres, is across the street from Milliken Mill Woods.

Both properties have easy access to the Eastern Trail and will offer off-street parking. Engineering design of trail improvements is in progress, with construction planned for this year and 2015. Construction will be done primarily by volunteers.

The recreational areas are expected to open this coming fall or in the spring of 2015.

You can read the entire article online here.

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[Note: This article appeared in the Late Fall 2013 Newsletter. The full newsletter can be viewed in this pdf document]

No doubt most athletic fundraisers have their hidden stories of triumph over adversity, of difficult goals quietly reached. Certainly, those of us who plan and run the Maine Lighthouse Ride have heard or overheard a few of these stories over the years. We are grateful to be able to share one such story with you. Patrick Joyce, who rode the century in the 2013 MLR, found himself facing surgery that might have discouraged others from riding again. Patrick had another plan. Here, in his words, is his story:

“I had ridden in the MLR in 2012 and 2011, but my story is a about how the 2013 ride became so important to me.”

“In January 2013, doctors discovered a benign tumor in the lining of my brain that would need to be surgically removed. The tumor was located in the area of the brain that controls motor function. It was successfully removed but left me with significant neurological weakness in my right leg. I was not able move my right leg at all. The doctors believed it was a temporary condition, but I was worried.”

“I needed to establish in my mind that no matter what the long-term outcome, I would return to my normal life. My normal life included riding my bike. The day after surgery, I set a goal that I would ride the 100-mile Maine Lighthouse Ride as I had done in 2012 even if I had to do it with only one functional leg. Fortunately, I began to get some movement back after 48 hours, but full function was a still a long way off.”

“The goal of riding the MLR was a great incentive. It did two things. First, it gave me a a measurement of full recovery. Second, it gave me long time line – seven months to prepare. This was extremely important for me. I am not a patient patient, as witnessed in my first PT session when the therapist talked about fitting me with an ankle brace I commented, ‘How long is this going to take?’ ”

“After two months of PT, I started riding again. Leg movement was normal but neurological weakness remained. I began work-ing with a trainer to develop my affected leg.”

“When the MLR came around in September, I was well prepared. I think this year’s ride was easier for me than it was in 2012.”

“When I crossed the finish line at SMCC, I had fulfilled a goal set in a bed at Maine Medical Center. I had tangible proof that I was again fully functional.”

“I will do MLR’s century ride in the future, but it will never mean as much as it did in 2013.”

Thank you, Patrick. We look forward to seeing you at the 2014 MLR.

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By Scott Marcoux

[Note: This article appeared in the Late Fall 2013 Newsletter. The full newsletter can be viewed in this pdf document]

The Eastern Trail began with a simple idea: to create a green transportation route for non-motorized travel through southern Maine. But for the growing number of activity groups and organizations now using the trail for a variety of events, the trail’s off-road sections are now, in themselves, also a regular destination.

Once again in 2013, the number of fundraising events hosted on at least part of the ET grew, totaling 15 this year. Returning events from last year included Southern Maine Medical’s BeHealthy 5K, the Rev3 Triathlon in Old Orchard Beach, and the Snowy Egret 5K Run/Walk. Events new to the trail in 2013 included The Maine Walk, Run or Roll Against Bullying, the Connor Chretien Memorial Scholarship Walk ‘n Roll, and the Walk to Cure Diabetes.

The benefits to moving a fundraiser to the ET are obvious: walkers and runners find a surface more forgiving than roads and sidewalks, and interaction with vehicular traffic is greatly reduced or entirely eliminated. Participants and volunteers trade exhaust fumes for fresh air and occasional pine scent. The mile markers don’t hurt either!. Given the demand, if you are planning to hold an event on the trail next year, be sure to download the Event Request Application from the Events page on our website— www.easterntrail.org. The application process is essential to avoiding conflicts with other events, especially with at least ten events already scheduled for 2014.

Wait, we wanna play too!

Through all of our interactions with trail fans — educational fairs, corporate and school presentations, and phone inquiries to our office — we’ve learned a lot about how the trail has been embraced by less formal groups of users. Local outing clubs like the Kennebunk Newcomers and Biddeford’s 50+ Club are adding trail-centered activities to their offerings. A number of informal ET running and cycling meet-ups have sprung up since the completion of some sections, and visitors to Maine or their in-state hosts now regularly call for information about the trail while planning family vacation time.

The Lure of the Moon Walk

Of course, the ET Moonlight Walks have become regular and popular outings during autumn, winter and spring. With up to 30-40 participants in clear weather, group leader and ETA Trustee Joe Yuhas takes to the trail in Biddeford and Arundel most months with only the moon to light the way. Joe will have led nine of these walks by year’s end.

Some walkers have become regular attendees, and some months, everyone swaps shoes for snowshoes and cross-country skis. The walks are a chance to learn about the ET from Joe and other trustees who often tag along.

Additionally, ET Bicycle Loop Rides were twice led by volunteer Russ Lamer, and a number of Monday Morning Walks were offered by Trustee Jim Monroe through the summer.

For information on upcoming ETA-led events, check the Events page on our website, www.easterntrail.org, or become a fan of our Facebook page.

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By Joe Yuhas

[Note: This article appeared in the Spring 2014 Newsletter. The full newsletter can be viewed in this pdf document]

The Southern ETA group has gained gratifying strength and numbers since last summer’s community displays and presentations. Those activities were designed to spread the word of the Eastern Trail and increase support at the grass roots level. Our awareness program showcased the far reaching benefits of the existing trail, as well as the benefits that will follow as the off road trail is extended to and through Wells, the Berwicks, Eliot and Kittery to connect with NH at the Memorial Bridge.

Since fall, SETA members have been meeting on a regular basis to explore and increase the effectiveness of our awareness program. Many new faces have been added to the group, increasing the pool of talent and imaginative ideas to accomplish our goals.

Ann Kendall came up with the idea of our sponsoring a trail ride which would follow the on road section of the ET (also known as U. S. Bicycle Route One). For the last few months we have been researching that project, developing possible routes, checking with town officials and, with the help of some of the Maine Lighthouse Ride’s experienced leaders, studying the details that have made that ride so successful.

After hitting a roadblock on our initial choice of date for the event, we decided that we would instead initiate a series of smaller monthly rides over the summer. Rather than try to bring off a major trail ride with all it’s details in a short period of time to plan and execute it, we’d work up to that project.

The monthly rides will also give us a chance to become familiar with the route in hopes that we will be ready to host the Spring on the Trail next year.

In Ann’s words, “We have decided to start slowly to build awareness and interest in the Eastern Trail by having a series of rides — Discovering the Eastern Trail — to be offered once a month for groups of about 20 riders.” The first ride is planned for June 14th from Kittery to Vaughn Woods and could return along the scenic River Rd.

Each ride will continue up the Eastern Trail with rides on the second Saturday of each month until we get to the off-road section at the Kennebunk Elementary School.

The rides will be around 20 miles in length, allowing for travel at a moderate pace, emphasizing safety and the pleasure of bicycling along the trail. We plan to stop occasionally at points of interest and concentrate on features of local historical or natural significance. Each ride will have a leader, a sweeper and a support vehicle to assist with breakdowns if necessary.

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By Judy Haley

[Note: This article appeared in the Late Fall 2013 Newsletter. The full newsletter can be viewed in this pdf document]

The summer of 2013 was a busy one for members of SETA, a subcommittee of ETA! Their enthusiasm and dedication were boundless, as the volunteers set up displays and presentations to spread the word of the Eastern Trail and build support at many seasonal outside events and celebrations, emphasizing that the ETA is now concentrating on bringing the trail to and through their towns and villages. Without exception, these York County missionaries reported successes and are eager to continue the efforts for better trail awareness moving south.

They are also proposing more ways to bring the ET experience to new people and communities, for example by organizing outings for youth groups, schools, and interested adults— cycling, cross-country skiing, evening walks. Those “on the trail” events would supplement the many target presentations of local club and civic organizations.

Members attending the October meeting first shared their summer success stories, then quickly progressed to the issues at hand, focusing primarily on two of them:

Identifying the ways and means to move southward with an Awareness Program which would underline the far reaching benefits of the existing trail, as well as the benefits that would follow as the trail is extended to and through Wells, the Berwicks, Eliot and Kittery.

Researching alternate ways to finance the initial costs involved with trail building: e.g., feasibility studies, legal expenses, and design costs needed to present “shovel ready” projects for state and federal funding.

SETA is gaining strength each month with new members who are eager to see the trail extensions become a reality. Their mission is daunting, with approximately 36 miles of trail remaining to be built in order to connect with NH at the Memorial Bridge in Kittery. Anyone interested in joining in this effort will be warmly welcomed! More information is available at www.easterntrail.org

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