Charles Petersen, president & CEO of Biddeford Savings (at left), and Bob Hamblen, president of the Eastern Trail Alliance (ETA), review one of the 10,000 maps the bank donated to the ETA to help the organization encourage use of the 65-mile greenwaysBiddeford, ME – 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.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to partner with Biddeford Savings on our map initiative,” says Bob Hamblen, president of the Eastern Trail Alliance, the organization founded to vision, build, promote and use the Eastern Trail. “The public was immediately sold on the maps, so much so that we went through the first printing in a matter of months. Biddeford Savings stepped up and agreed to fund a second printing. This is a wonderful opportunity for residents and tourists to use the Trail this summer and throughout the year.”

Along with the map effort, Biddeford Savings also provided support for The Saco Bikes for Kids campaign, an effort sponsored by the Saco Parks and Recreation Department to promote healthy lifestyles and the use of the Eastern Trail by area youth. A total of 46 contributors provided funds to purchase 25 new bikes and equipment for local children.

“At Biddeford Savings, we help define the path to prosperity for our customers,” says Charles Petersen, bank president and CEO. “And prosperity can come in many forms. When we were approached by the Eastern Trail Alliance to support the printing of the maps, we thought it was an excellent way to demonstrate how we put concepts into practice. The Saco Bikes for Kids campaign also seemed like a perfect fit to encourage healthier lifestyles. By using the Eastern Trail, people of all ages will prosper by enjoying the healthful benefits of the outdoors in our beautiful coastal region. The Eastern Trail is truly a gem that we want everyone to discover.”

You can download PDF files of this brochure here.

Biddeford Savings, an independent, community-focused mutual savings bank founded in 1867, has offices in Biddeford, Kennebunk, Scarborough, and Waterboro. To learn more, visit biddefordsavings.com.