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Author: Larry Glantz

ETA Press Releases
November 16, 20120

SACO BIKE FUNDRAISER PASSES HALFWAY POINT

Press ReleaseETA ogo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Kevin Lombard, Program Director,
Saco Parks and Recreation,
283-3139; email.

SACO BIKE FUNDRAISER PASSES HALFWAY POINT

15 BIKES FOR SACO KIDS, 10 BIKES TO GO

November 16, 2012 (Saco, Maine)

15 Kids with Bike vbought by Saco Bikes for kids!SACO, Maine – Local businesses and individuals contributed $3,000 to a fund raising campaign to purchase 15 bikes for Saco Parks & Recreation kids to use on the Eastern Trail. Organizers hope that during the final stretch of fund raising this winter, another $2,000 will be donated so 10 more bikes can be purchased, completing the original goal of buying 25 bikes. 

“We appreciate the generosity of Saco businesses and residents that enabled us to buy 15 bikes. Now we are excited to begin another phase of our fundraising with a nature photo contest using social media,” said Justin Chenette, an organizer of the Saco Bikes For Kids fundraiser and newly-elected state representative for House District 134

Donations large and small came in via PayPal and at special events such as the Monster Bash on Main Street. Donors from as far away as Reno, Nevada learned about the campaign on Facebook and used PayPal to support the cause.

Local businesses also jumped in with large contributions coming from General Dynamics, Peoples Choice Credit Union, Hannaford, Saco & Biddeford Savings, Pate Motor Co., and Garland Manufacturing Company. >

“The kids raised $325 through a penny fundraiser and that helped spread excitement about the program among the kids and their families,” said Kevin Lombard, Program Director at Saco Parks & Recreation.

Also during the summer, the children took pictures of plants and trees along the Eastern Trail. Visitors to the Facebook page for Saco Bikes for Kids can view the pictures and vote for their favorites by selecting photos to “like.” Photo contest winners will be awarded a gift certificate to the Way Way Store.

“We hope that people who visit our Facebook page and vote for their favorite photo will also make a donation to help us buy the final 10 bikes,” said Chenette.

Donations are accepted by check or PayPal on the following Internet sites & municipal locations:

  • Drop off or mail a check made out to “Eastern Trail Alliance” (put 250 Kid Mob in the memo line) to Saco Parks & Recreation, 75 Franklin Street, Saco ME 04072.
  • Go here to donate via PayPal.
  • Visit www.Facebook.com/sacobikesforkids and look for the link to donate via PayPal
  • Drop by Saco City Hall and visit the Finance Department windows on the first floor.
  • Get more information at the Saco Bikes for Kids website

ll donations are 100% tax deductible.

FMI: Kevin Lombard, Program Director, Saco Parks and Recreation, 283-3139, email.

Uncategorised
October 9, 20120

Recent Eastern Trail News Flashes

Maine Lighthouse Ride Nearing Free T-Shirt Cut-off!

Free MLR T-shirts are given to the first 500 registering riders, and we are now at 460 registrations. Are you planning to ride? Do you want a free MLR t-shirt? Then register today – don’t delay!

Mark Your Calendars – ETA Annual Meeting May 14

The Eastern Trail Alliance Annual Meeting takes place on Thursday, May 14. This year’s meeting will feature 3 interesting Guest Speakers – More Information Here. All are invited. We hope you will join us — RSVP by contacting us at 207-284-9260 or eta@easterntrail.org.

Two Sections of Eastern Trail Recognized as Family-Friendly Community Bike Trail

No surprise here – two sections of the Eastern Trail were among 6 trails recognized as family-friendly community bike trails in Maine, according to the 4/30 Portland Press Herald. 

Scarborough Marsh – “This trail is a lot of fun for birding enthusiasts if you want to make frequent stops to look at the marsh birds. The smooth, packed-gravel surface and lack of hills on this path make for a very easy and pleasant ride with kids.”

Greenbelt Walkway in South Portland – “The diversity of sights along this trail is fun – from a view of the water and lovely backyard gardens (the trail abuts quite a few homes) to the woods and open fields. And Mill Creek Park and Bug Light are great spots for a picnic lunch.”

Check out the full article here.

Scarborough Marsh leash law signA Reminder About Leash Laws that Apply on the Eastern Trail in the Scarborough Marsh Area.

We want to remind trail users in the Scarborough Marsh areas of the leash laws that apply between April 1 and October 1. The policy is expressed on signs that are posted in that area:

“For the purposes of protecting important wildlife habitat, all dogs must be leashed on this portion of the Eastern Trail and marsh between Pine Point Road and Black Point Road”

“If you have questions about this, please contact the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, 358 Shaker Road, Gray, Maine 04039, (207) 657-2345 ext. 110”

Many Volunteer Opportunities – Can You Come Out and Help Us Promote the Trail?

Now that spring is here and summer is close behind, there are many events coming up that are opportunities for us to help promote and enjoy the Eastern Trail.  Can you come out and join us?  Go to our volunteers page to see a list of events where volunteers are needed. Or just call the ETA office at 284-9260 or email us to sign up.

LD 193 – A Bond to Fund Backlogged Bicycle and Pedestrian Projects

Communities across Maine are increasingly mindful of the enormous benefit of planning more pedestrian and bike spaces like the Eastern Trail, even as deep cuts have been made to federal funding for such projects. This has left the state with a backlog of projects waiting for planning and/or construction funds. A bill being considered by the Maine Legislature, LD 193, would help to clear the backlog, which can only help everyone who values greater pedestrian and bike access, as we hope you do. Our friends at the Bicycle Coalition of Maine have assembled some info about the bill, and reminders about the positive impact these projects have on their communities. Please follow this link to learn how you can let our state leaders know that you support funding these important projects.

Kittery Trading Post’s Round-Up Benefits Eastern Trail Alliance

Kittery Trading Post Donation to the Eastern Trail AllianceIn January Derek Sturtevant, Chairman of Kittery Trading Post’s Round-Up Committee, called the ETA office to report that his committee had voted to donate $1,000 to ETA. Carole asked Jim Bucar and John Andrews to contact Sturtevant to visit Kittery Trading Post to receive the donation.

They learned that Round-Up is a program that encourages customers to round-up their check-out amount to the next highest dollar amount with funds to be donated to non-profits whose goals are aligned with Kittery Trading Post’s core values. Each quarter, the company rounds up those funds to the next round thousand dollars.

Sturtevant, who is Specialty Sports Divisional Manager, chairs the employee committee that allocates the generated funds. ETA President Bob Hamblen, who is Saco’s City Planner, is proud of the recognition achieved by ETA that resulted in this contribution.

MLR named as one of Active.com's best rides for 2015

The Maine Lighthouse Ride Gets More National Attention!!

The MLR was included in a recent list of the 12 best upcoming rides of 2015 across the country. The list is put out by Active.com, the national leader in online event registration for races and cycling events.

“This must-do ride…is sold out every year. The 100-mile century route tours nine lighthouses and includes a quick jaunt through Old Orchard Beach and the quaint village of Kennebunkport, the summer home to George Bush.”

This is the third year in a row! Active.com also gave the same steller recognition to the MLR both last year as well as in 2013.

ET Economic Impact Study coverET’s 2014 Economic Impact Study

Breaking news! An economic impact study and survey conducted along portions of the off-road ET during the summer of 2014 has just been published and is now available for reading. Go here for some insight into the economic benefit of the trail to its host communities.

Giveback Tuesday – Consider a Donation to Help the Eastern Trail

OK, Giveback Tuesday has passed, but we ask you to still consider giving back – donating to a good cause. Please consider a donation of money (tax-deductible!) or time (sign up aas a volunteer!) to the Eastern Trail Alliance.  If the trail has become an important part of your life, consider helping to expand and improve the trail. Contact us for more information. Thanks, and have a great holiday season!!

Video: Eastern Trail in Three Minutes

Check out this cool video – Time-lapse video of a ride on Eastern Trail from Cascade Road in Old Orchard Beach, Maine to the Nonesuch River on the Scarborough/South Portland border.. View it on our Videos page

Maine Lighthouse Ride a great success!!

We had a wonderful Maine Lighthouse Ride this past Saturday, September 6. Over 1000 riders came out the enjoy the trail and to help support the Eastern Trail Alliance. Thanks so much to all the riders, the many volunteers, and also to the trail users who shared the trail that day. will be very busy in many areas. Funds raised by the ride will be used to continue our efforts to build and to promote the Eastern Trail in southern Maine.

Pictures of the 2014 ride can be viewed here – all pictures by Jim Bucar, our fantastic and long-standing volunteer photographer!

Registration for the 2015 ride is now open for online registration. Be sure to register early to get in on 2014 rates and to ensure your place in this ride that has sold out the past two years!

MLR 2014 jersey thumbnailMLR Bike Jerseys for 2014 Can Still be Ordered Online for Home Delivery

We are excited to again offer a Maine Lighthouse Bike Jersey for 2014 – you can see the new jersey design to the right.

Jerseys can be ordered online now – directly from Atayne, which “makes performance outdoor clothing and sports apparel that is safe for people and the planet.”

More info on the jerseys and pictures here

Tom's Run on the Eastern TrailUSGC “Tom’s Run” Memorial Relay on the Eastern Trail

Recently we heard news of this year’s running of Tom’s Run, a 200 mile relay that memorializes the life of Chief Warrant Officer Tom Brooks, a Coast Guardsman who inspired those around him in his fight against ALS.

We’re so pleased that this small, heartfelt memorial event was made easier by the use of the Eastern Trail. Many thanks to these members of the Coast Guard for sharing the following words and photos with us:

See full story and pictures here

Deirdre Fleming: Eastern Trail on the road to further expansion

Great article in the Maine Sunday Telegram/Press Herald.  Key Quote: “Andrews and his band of bicyclists have proven relentless. And this summer they’re not slowing as they fan out across this trail that now covers 20.7 miles to conduct an economic-impact study to help build support to expand the trail to Wells, South Berwick, Eliot and Kittery.” – click here to read the article

May 19, 2014 — 10th Anniversary of Groundbreaking for First Eastern Trail Segment

scar marsh anniv 2May 19 marked the tenth anniversary of the groundbreaking ceremony that began construction on the first section of the Eastern Trail. The project was managed under the direction of the 12-town Eastern Trail Management District in partnership with many organizations including the Town of Scarborough.  That section, crossing Scarborough Marsh, soon demonstrated amazing public support for the Eastern Trail.

Could anyone with their groundbreaking shovels in hand have imagined what would be accomplished in the following ten years? 

Congratulations and many thanks to the hundreds, and thousands who believed in and supported the Eastern Trail vision and have worked so hard to continue building the first 21 miles of our off-road trail. Since that historic day, we have truly demonstrated that “if you build it, they will come.”

Click here to see some pictures of Eastern Trail leaders and visionaries gathering on the Scarborough Marsh Bridge on May 19 to commemorate the anniversary

Good News for the Community Bicycle Center

Our good friends at the Community Bicycle Center in Biddeford are moving to larger space. Read the good news here.

Saco section of ET dedicated to Mary’s Walk

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 was dedicated by the city of Saco to Mary Kerry Libby, for which the annual Mary’s Walk is named. Picture of plaque here.

Arundel adds parking spots for ET

The town of Arundel will be adding some parking spaces along the Limerick Road portion of the Eastern Trail. Two news articles can be read here

Eastern Trail Full Moon Walks Media Coverage

The latest coverage is entitled “Moonlight walks on Eastern Trail offered by guides” appearing in the 2/2 Journal Tribune – read the full article here. 

East Coast Greenway Alliance logoEast Coast Greenway Alliance – January 2014 E-Newsletter

The Eastern Trail is an important part of the East Coast Greenway, a developing trail system, spanning nearly 3,000 miles as it winds its way between Canada and Key West, linking all the major cities of the eastern seaboard. The vision of developing this trail system is the East Coast Greenway Alliance – Read their January 2014 Newsletter online here.

Preliminary Eastern Trail Design Presented in Scarborough

The Town of Scarborough recently hosted a presentation on the preliminary design for the section of the ET that would close the gap between the Nonesuch River in Scarborough and Wainwright Fields in South Portland. This section of the trail presents significant challenges that are both logistical and financial, as you’ll see. You can see this presentation in two ways: A slide show, and by watching a video from the meeting.

Here are some local news reports on this issue:

Crossing Improvements in Scarborough

The Town of Scarborough recently made improvements to the Eastern Trail crossings on Pine Point and Black Point roads, including the addition of marked crosswalks and flashing warning lights, to assist trail users in crossing. Of course, even with these upgrades, please stop and look both ways before crossing any of the roads along the ET.

Have you seen those Great Pictures of the Sept. 7 Maine Lighthouse Ride?

They are great, capturing the fantastic experience of both riders and volunteers. ETA Volunteer Jim Bucar has a great eye and donates much time to get these great photos. Go here to see the pictures.

Memorial Bridge Grand Opening Ceremony Held Aug 8

membridgeetaA big “Thank you” goes to Tom Littlefield and Judy Haley for participating in the ceremony to represent the Eastern Trail.  Tom rode as part of the ceremony and Judy was the main contact for the Eastern Trail Alliance.

The bridge, connecting Portsmouth, NH and Kittery, ME, is a critical link for the East Coast Greenway, and for those entering the Eastern Trail at its southernmost point.

Several news stories on the Grand Opening ceremony can be found on our News Archive Page.

Memorial Bridge Reopening Panorama shotMEMORIAL BRIDGE PROJECT PAGE – SeaCoastonline.com has a Rebuilding the Memorial Bridge page that provides a complete look at the Memorial Bridge project, including photo galleries, news stories and a timeline of events going back to the 2011 closure of the original 1923 bridge.

Also check out SeaCoastonline’s Memorial Bridge Opening 2013 photo gallery

Additional details on the event and the bridge project can be found on the NH/ME DOT web page.

Biddeford Savings Bank donated maps to the Eastern TrailBiddeford Savings Funds Maps to Biking Adventure on the Eastern Trail

Funding from Biddeford Savings is helping thousands of hiking, biking and outdoor enthusiasts enjoy southern Maine’s Eastern Trail.

The bank provided full funding for the printing of 10,000 maps of the Eastern Trail, a 65-mile section of the East Coast Greenway, a transportation-recreation greenway connecting Kittery, in southernmost Maine, to Casco Bay in South Portland. The Eastern Trail has a growing span of off-road sections, as well as scenic on-road trails designed to follow primarily quiet country roads. Experienced bike riders and hikers can enjoy a beautiful journey from South Portland’s Bug Light Park on Casco Bay to Kittery on the Piscataqua River.

Read the full story here.

Children with the Saco Parks and Recreation summer camp ride newly donated bicycles on the John R. Andrews Eastern Trail Bridge in Saco Thursday morning.We Did It! – Bikes for Kids celebrates Success with 25 new bicycles, helmets

“And now the kids are riding 25 new bikes on the Eastern Trail” is the way the Saco Bikes for Kids campaign is defining its success in promoting use of the Eastern Trail and healthy lifestyles among youth. View the celebration poster, and read a news article about the feat. Some of the happy children with the Saco Parks and Recreation summer camp ride are shown (in the image to the right) riding their newly donated bicycles on the John R. Andrews Eastern Trail Bridge in Saco.

turtle crossing imageSigns put up to alert Maine motorists to turtle crossings

AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) – Signs are being put up to ask motorists in southern York County to be aware of rare turtles crossing area roads. The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife and the Nature Conservancy are marking the turtle crossing areas in Wells, South Berwick and York with hopes of reducing highway deaths of two of the state’s rarest species, Blanding’s and spotted turtles. Motorists encountering the roadside turtle signs should reduce their speed and be on the lookout for jaywalking turtles. Drivers who see a turtle crossing the road and want to help are asked to safely pull over to the side of the road and, only if it is safe to do so, move the turtle to the side of the road in the direction it was headed.Article from WCSH Channel 6.

You can’t get there from here: Eastern Trail connection between South Portland, Scarborough remains elusive, expensive

SCARBOROUGH, May 2, 2013 — If the “Bridge Out” sign is not enough, the drop down to the Nonesuch River from where a bridge used to cross the river is a vivid reminder of the obstacles blocking the off-road linkage of the Eastern Trail to South Portland.

But as a $150,000 study funded by the Maine Department of Transportation progresses, Town Planner Dan Bacon and Eastern Trail Alliance President Bob Hamblen are aware the water crossing may be the easiest part of constructing a 1.5-mile trail section to the Wainwright Field Athletic Complex in South Portland.

Click here to read the full article on TheForecaster.net

MLR on active century listNational Recognition of the Maine Lighthouse Century Ride

Our Maine Lighthouse Ride is getting well-deserved national attention on a website titled “13 Scenic Century Rides.” The MLR (slide #10 on the site) is listed as one of 13 rides that “come with scenery you will never forget.”  The listing goes on to describe more about the MLR, saying that “Several distances are offered, including a 100-mile trek that passes nine of Maine’s iconic lighthouses and ventures into breathtaking coastal areas.” This publicity is sure to increase interest in the ride, particularly since this site (Active.com) advertises the ride nationally and registers our MLR riders online. 

Eastern Trail Alliance eyes expansion – Group’s goal is to extend trail south from Kennebunk to Kittery

The Kennebunk Post – The Eastern Trail Alliance and Southern Eastern Trail Alliance have begun to set new plans for expanding into motion.

Optimally, the off-road trail will continue from South Portland through Wells, North and South Berwick and Eliot, all the way down to Kittery. The alliance held an informational meeting Tuesday, March 26 in North Berwick to discuss expansion plans and feel out any opposition.

Formally designed in 1998 to follow the abandoned Eastern Railway, the Eastern Trail was constructed for runners, hikers, bikers and other general outdoor enthusiasts.

Nearly every year since the millennium, new paths have been forged between South Portland and Kennebunk.

Read the full article online here.    Go to Top of this page

3/26 ETA/SETA Informational Meeting in No. Berwick a Major Success

A large and enthusiastic crowd attended this meeting to present and discuss options for moving the Eastern Trail forward in North Berwick. More information about the meeting here. Click here to read a Foster’s Online news article published in advance of the meeting (publ. 3/19). Click here to view a video of the meeting. Stay tuned for updates about new trail developments in North Berwick!

kpost1More Great Media Coverage of the ETA Full Moon Walks

Joe Yuhas’ ongoing Full Moon Walks are covered nicely in the “Moon Walking” article in the Kennebunk Post online.

More Great Media Coverage of the Eastern Trail

Joe Yuhas, ETA Trustee and leader of many trail activities, was interviewed by a local television station. You can watch it here. Great job, Joe!    Go to Top of this page

New Mile Markers for the Eastern Trail

In December 2012, 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 trail users 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.

. Read the full article at Seacoastonline.com.  Go to Top of this page

Image of Eastern Trail FaceBook pageAre you on FaceBook? Read about Gary Allen, marathon runner who used the ET on his run to Washington

Gary Allen recently ran 700 miles from Cadillac Mountain to Washington, D.C., averaging 50 miles a day. We were pleased to learn that along the way, Gary utilized parts of the Eastern Trail Go to ET’s Facebook page for Gary’s story, events listings and other news – and great comments about the ET!   Go to the page for other news updates – and great comments about the ET!  Recently the ET FaceBook page went over 1,000 fans (“Likes”). Check out the ET FB page here.  Go to Top of this page

“Tracks Aplenty on the Eastern Trail” – 12/2/2012 Maine Sunday Telegram Article

An article about the Nov. 27 Moonlight Walk led by John Andrews and Joe Yuhas. Key quote: “The trail is humming with energy and events — and it’s not done growing.”

A moonlight hike led by the Eastern Trail Alliance attracts several dozen hikers who quietly move on the pathKENNEBUNK – 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.

Read the full article online here   Go to Top of this page

Eastern Trail is Featured in East Coast Greenway Article

The Eastern Trail, as the southernmost portion of the East Coast Greenway in Maine, is featured in a recent Bangor Daily News article entitled  “East Coast Greenway continues to evolve from Kittery to Calais.” Read the full article here.  Go to Top of this page

Eastern Trail provides a beautiful venue for the running portion of recent successful Triathalon

The inaugural Revolution3 Triathlon in Old Orchard Beach was held August 26, 2013. Revolution3 Triathlon, a group that organizes professional events nationally, put on the race. Lauren Goss of Mount Pleasant, S.C., who won the women’s event had this to say about our favorite Maine greenway: “The Eastern Trail was beautiful. I would love to live here just to run on that.”  The quote appears in a Sun Chronicle article.  Go to Top of this page

Eastern Trail listed as one of AAA Magazine’s 10 Most Scenic trails for two-wheeling in New England

The Eastern Trail is featured in an article is from the AAA Horizons magazine for Southern New England. It lists the Eastern Trail as one of ten favorite scenic trails in New Englandi. Read the full article here.  Go to Top of this page

New York Magazine Travel sectionEastern Trail cited in New York Magazine’s Weekend Travel Section (Aug. 2012)

The Eastern Trail is featured in an article titled The Five-Point Weekend Escape Plan: Relive Summer Camp in the Kennebunks. It lists the Eastern Trail as a key “to do” – read it here!
  Go to Top of this page

Our archive of more in-depth news articles and reports (running back to the 1990’s) can be found here.    You can also search for past articles:

Archived News
September 9, 20120

East Coast Greenway continues to evolve from Kittery to Calais

By Aislinn Sarnacki, BDN Staff Posted Aug. 29, 2012,at 1:20 p.m.

Marjorie Foote and Philip McGranahan of Kittery bike through Scarborough Marsh on Aug. 14, 2012, as they follow the East Coast Greenway from Portland to Saco.Exiting the train in Portland, Philip McGranahan and his wife Marjorie Foote donned helmets, righted their bicycles and headed south on the East Coast Greenway, a route that would lead them along off-road paths and low-traffic roads all the way to Saco.

The Kittery couple pedaled the bike-friendly path several years ago — they couldn’t agree on exactly how many — but as they followed the ECG signs, they noticed that much of the route has changed. In Scarborough Marsh, where a pedestrian bridge opened to the ECG in 2004, they paused and noted that the marsh hadn’t been a part of their previous trip.

Though they ended their day in Saco, the ECG extends much farther. Through Maine, the route currently extends about 380 miles from the Canadian border in Calais to the southern tip of the state. From there, the route continues to the tip of Florida, threading together 16 states.

“The trail is actually intended to connect the communities of Maine so a traveler can see everything from historic mills in Calais, to dam sites in Lewiston, down to the largest chair down in Eliot, Maine,” said Tony Barrett, member of the Maine East Coast Greenway committee. “And the route goes right by the Paul Bunyan statue in Bangor.”

Much of the off-road sections use existing multiuse trails or have been constructed along old railroad beds.

Sections of the ECG in Maine:

• Eastern Trail: Kittery to South Portland, 68 miles.

• Casco Bay Section: South Portland to Brunswick, 35 miles.

• Coastal Route: Brunswick to Belfast to Bucksport, 125 miles.

• River Route: Brunswick to Bangor to Bucksport, 160 miles.

• Down East Route and Down East Sunrise Trail: Bucksport to Calais, 140 miles.

The East Coast Greenway Alliance, founded by 10 trail advocates in 1991, now has partnerships at the local, state and national levels.

Article continues in full here

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Archived News
September 4, 20120

Relive Summer Camp in the Kennebunks – New York Magazine

nymagtravelETA Webmaster Note – NY Magazine’s “Five-Point Weekend Escape Plan” was published on 8/17/2012. Part three, which references the Eastern Trail, is highlighted here. Click here to read the whole article.

By Jen Swetzoff; Published Aug 17, 2012

Maine’s coastal villages offer cabins in the woods, New England comfort food, and a full roster of activities on land and at sea.

Part 1 – Where to Stay Part 2 – Where to Eat

Part 3 – What to Do

Hike through the 24-acre Marx Preserve (look for the sign off Route 9, opposite a utilities pump station) and explore an ecosystem that’s relatively rare in southern Maine: salt marshes. Bring binoculars to spot birds like great blue herons and goldeneyes among the pines and hemlocks. For more hiking opportunities, follow the adjoining three-mile Bridle Path (access at 71 Sea Road), which goes inland and toward the sea, or check out the Rachel Carson Wildlife Refuge, home to many species including bald eagles and moose.

Get your sea legs at Goose Rocks Beach, one of the most popular places in town for stand-up paddle boarding. The relatively gentle waves are ideal for beginners and the long stretch of white sand, often rippled with tide pools, is a fine place to relax afterwards. You can book a one-hour private lesson with Aquaholics Surf Shop ($75), but if you prefer more traditional paddling, call up Coastal Maine Kayak (half-day rentals from $35), and they’ll deliver a single or tandem boat to you.

Bike a tranquil stretch of the 65-mile, ten-foot-wide Eastern Trail, which runs from South Portland to Kittery. The six-mile section between Kennebunk (access at the Kennebunk Elementary School, 177 Alewive Road) and Biddeford opened to the public in 2010, and has since become one of the area’s most popular biking routes because it’s shady and relatively easy. Take a break at the pond on the way back and spot deer and wild turkeys through the conifer trees.

Part 4 – Insider’s Tip Part 5 – An Oddball Day
Archived News
August 31, 20120

Scenic trails built for two-wheeling

ETA Webmaster note: This article is from the AAA Horizons magazine for Southern New England. It lists the Eastern Trail as one of ten favorite scenic trails in New England.Click here to go directly to the ET description in their list below.

By Juliet Pennington

Eastern Trail, York and Cumberland counties in southern Maine. “The path flies by as you and I ride a bicycle built for two.”

So go the lyrics from one version of the popular song, “Daisy Bell,” commonly known as “Bicycle Built for Two,” a ditty written in the late 1800s by English songwriter Harry Dacre while on a visit to America.

And while most prefer bicycles built for one to those of the tandem variety, cycling enthusiasts share a love of this healthy, outdoor activity that is often accompanied by a picturesque backdrop best viewed while two-wheeling.

There are many scenic bike paths within a day’s drive, and more are in the planning, design and/or construction phase. Most have shops in close proximity that rent and sell bicycles.

Here are some of our favorites:

1. Burlington Bike Path, Burlington, Vt. Built on a former railway line, this 7.5-mile recreational path runs along the Lake Champlain shoreline and links six public parks. It also passes two beaches, several picnic areas and offers breathtaking views of the lake and the Adirondack Mountains to the west. For those seeking a longer route, the trail extends north into neighboring lakeside towns.

2. Cayuga Waterfront Trail, Ithaca, N.Y. One of the most scenic bike paths in the Finger Lakes region, this paved waterfront trail cuts through the lovely Cass Park and continues along the shores of Cayuga Lake. Two-thirds complete, construction on the final 2-mile stretch – connecting Cass Park and Ithaca’s Farmers Market at DeWitt Park – will begin next year to complete the 6-mile trail.

3. Charles River Bike Paths, Boston/Cambridge/Watertown. Several paved, off-road paths make up this multi-use recreational trail. Travel along both sides of the Charles River, from the Museum of Science in Boston to Watertown – passing through the Boston Esplanade. On Sundays, from the last Sunday in April through the second Sunday in November, Memorial Drive (from Eliot Bridge to Western Avenue) is closed to cars and makes for a great leisurely bike ride.

4. East Bay Bike Path, Providence to Bristol, R.I. Begin your 14.5-mile ride in the industrialized section of the city, through Haines Memorial Park, over bridges and along beaches that border sparkling Narragansett Bay. Continue on past Bristol’s beautiful Colt State Park and end your journey at Independence Park, a waterfront green on historic Bristol Harbor.

5. Eastern Trail, York and Cumberland counties in southern Maine. The construction of this bike path that follows the historic Eastern Railroad corridor began in the mid-1980s. When all is said and done, it will be a contiguous 65-mile off-road path meandering through 12 communities in two counties in southern Maine. About 22 miles have been completed and, so far, the longest stretch is an 8.8-mile route between Saco and Scarborough. Woods, streams, marshes and bogs will greet cyclists as they enjoy the Pine Tree State’s natural beauty.

6. Farmington Canal Heritage Greenway, New Hav­en, Conn., to Northampton. Following the corridor of the defunct Farmington Canal, this bike path will stretch for 84 uninterrupted miles once it’s complete. Beginning at the Yale University campus and running north, more than half of the 84 miles have been developed as a recreational route for non-motorized activities. There are plenty of trees to provide shade and attract a variety of birds, and picnic tables and benches dot the path.

7. Franconia Notch State Park Recreational Trail, Franconia, N.H. This paved bike path that parallels Franconia Notch State Parkway for a nearly 20-mile round-trip loop offers amazing views and takes riders within easy reach (or sight) of the park’s many attractions, including the Flume Gorge, Echo Lake and the site where the Old Man of the Mountain profile stood sentinel prior to the rock formation’s collapse in 2003.

8. Lachine Canal Recreation Path, Montreal, Quebec. This city’s cycling scene is among the best around, with more than 300 miles of bike routes and paths. One of the most popular of these asphalt corridors is the 9-mile stretch along the banks of the Lachine Canal, from the Old Port to Lake Saint-Louis. Cyclists enjoy stunning scenery as they ride along this relatively flat path on an inland waterway.

You can read the full article online here but you will have to enter a valid MA zip code (02630 works) at the opening screen.

Archived News
August 31, 20120

Triathlon draws thousands

ETA Webmaster Note: The running portion of this triathalon was done on the Eastern trail. This article makes several references to the Eastern Trail.

Posted: Tuesday, August 28, 2012 12:16 pm | Updated: 11:30 am, Wed Aug 29, 2012.

By Cameron Dunbar

OLD ORCHARD BEACH – Swim 1.2 miles. Bike 56 miles. Then run 13.1 miles.

And do it starting at 6 a.m.

Sounds crazy, but that’s what nearly 1,200 triathletes from all over the country and around the world did Sunday in the inaugural Revolution3 Triathlon in Old Orchard Beach. Revolution3 Triathlon, a group that organizes professional events nationally, put on the race, and its $25,000 purse drew 33 professionals from the upper echelons of the triathlon world, as well as scores of amateur competitors.

Putting on such a large event in a small seaside town presented a logistical challenge for Old Orchard Beach, Assistant Town Manager Louise Reid said, but in the end the event went off without a hitch.

“The comments that have been made to me by volunteers and department heads who were involved was that it was one of the most organized events that they’d been a part of,” Reid said. “It was smooth, it was well attended, and the comments that were made to our police officers and our volunteers were thank you from the company and all the participants.”

Not all of the competitors completed the long-distance 70.3-mile half-Ironman course. Many competitors, including the professionals, opted for the 0.9-mile swim, 24.8-mile bike and a 6.2-mile run Olympic Rev route.

The swim portion of the race took place off Old Orchard’s well-known beach, ending at the Pier, where the athletes got out of the water and transitioned to the bike event.

The bike course winded out into the countryside, snaking through the roads of Old Orchard Beach, Saco, Dayton, Lyman, Waterboro, Hollis and Scarborough, and the last-leg running portion took the athletes through Scarborough Marsh and over a portion of the Eastern Trail before coming full-circle back to the finish line on 1st Street in Old Orchard Beach.

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Archived News
July 27, 20120

Wheeling into the future; Kid mob kicks off campaign to buy 25 bikes

Posted: Wednesday, July 25, 2012 4:03 pm | Updated: 4:18 pm, Wed Jul 25, 2012.
Kate Irish Collins kcollins@keepmecurrent.com

Kids Mopb on the ET John Andrews bridgeSACO – More than 300 kids in bright yellow T-shirts “mobbed” the pedestrian bridge over Route 1 in Saco Tuesday morning, July 24, to kick-off a fundraising campaign to buy 25 bikes for the Saco Parks & Recreation program.

The goal is to raise $7,500 in order to buy the bicycles and related safety equipment, such as helmets, according to Justin Chenette a member of the Saco Bikes for Kids committee. Chenette is also running for the House District 134 seat this fall.

He said the bikes initiative is a collaboration between the Eastern Trail Alliance and the city of Saco with the goal of getting kids interested in using the trail and “putting those electronic devices down.”

“The next 250 years begin now and Saco’s kids are the bridge to get us there. So what better way to show support for our bright future than to celebrate Saco’s newest addition, the John R. Andrews Eastern Trail Bridge and fill it with kids and bikes?” said Bob Hamblen, president of the Eastern Trail Alliance, who is also Saco’s city planner.

This summer, Saco Parks & Recreation plans to incorporate the Eastern Trail into a variety of field trips, according to Kevin Lombard, program director at the city department.

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Archived News
July 26, 20120

Tracks on the Trail

Saco youth campers use Eastern Trail to kick off bicycle fundraiser

By LIZ GOTTHELF, Staff Writer

Wednesday, July 25, 2012 12:06 PM EDT

Kids on the ET John Andrews Bridge!SACO — On Tuesday morning, about 300 children in the city’s summer park and recreation camps, along with 90 staff members, all in bright yellow and pink shirts, crowded onto the John R. Andrews Eastern Trail pedestrian bridge. Cars honked as they passed below on Route 1.

The “kid mob” was a kick-off for the Saco Bikes for Kids campaign, a local effort to raise money for 25 bicycles and helmets for the city’s recreation program in its summer camps and after-school programs.

The effort is a way to promote the Eastern Trail, particularly among youth, and create enthusiasm for healthy lifestyles, said campaign organizers.

In honor of the city’s 250th anniversary, organizers are asking for donations from private individuals and local businesses in the amount of $2.50, $25 and $250. The goal is to raise $7,500 by September, said Justin Chenette, one of the campaign organizers.

Eastern Trail Alliance President and Saco City Planner Bob Hamblen said he had the idea to acquire bicycles for the city, after a similar program was initiated at Kennebunk Elementary School.

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Archived News
July 13, 20120

Transportation bill presents potential ‘triple whammy’

By Kevin Millerkmiller@mainetoday.com
Washington bureau chief

Advocates for making Maine friendlier for cyclists and walkers are expressing concerns about federal funding cuts to programs that communities often use to pay for bike lanes, crosswalks and road safety programs aimed at schoolchildren.

But the Maine Department of Transportation is dismissing some of the worst-case scenarios being discussed, saying it’s too early to tell precisely how the federal cuts could affect the state’s bicycle and pedestrian safety programs.

President Obama is expected to sign the first multi-year transportation funding bill since 2009 in a ceremony today, roughly one week after Congress approved the $120 billion spending plan.

The bill maintains overall funding levels for the next 27 months, but cuts funding for bike and pedestrian safety programs by about 30 percent.

The bill maintains overall funding levels for the next 27 months, but cuts funding for bike and pedestrian safety programs by about 30 percent.

Dan Stewart, right, bicycle and pedestrian program manager for the Maine Department of Transportation, leads cyclists over the Eastern Trail bridge at Scarborough Marsh last summer.

Dan Stewart, right, bicycle and pedestrian program manager for the Maine Department of Transportation, leads cyclists over the Eastern Trail bridge at Scarborough Marsh last summer.
Stewart said it is premature to say how state programs will be affected by cuts proposed in a new $120 billion federal transportation plan.

The bill also makes money available for additional types of non-highway projects and gives states more discretion in spending, allowing them to divert money intended for bicycle or pedestrian projects to other transportation needs.

The result, says the head of the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, is a potential “triple-whammy” to projects aimed at making Maine more bike- and pedestrian-friendly.

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https://www.easterntrail.org/