ETA Press Releases

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: (207) 284-9260
eta@EasternTrail.org

South Portland, Maine, August 14 — Those 1,200 riders fortunate enough to register in time for the 2015 Maine Lighthouse Ride will celebrate summer’s last hurrah on their bicycle seats, while supporting the Eastern Trail Alliance’s mission to complete construction of the ET’s off-road route.

Against a backdrop of historic lighthouses, rocky coast and sandy beaches, avid cyclists from all over North America will ride in support of the ETA on Saturday, September 12 for the 12th Annual Maine Lighthouse Ride. Participants will set out to cover 25, 40, 62 or 100 miles, beginning and ending at Southern Maine Community College.

“With the event full at 1,200 riders, the Maine Lighthouse Ride is clearly one of the most popular rides in New England,” said Bob Bowker, the ride’s founder and spokesperson. “The combination of scenic Maine coastline, plenty of good food, and dozens of friendly volunteers keeps ’em coming back for more!”

In recent years, MLR riders have hailed from more than two-dozen states, but this year Iowa will bring something special to our event. Team in Training Iowa (TNT), a sports training program that benefits The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, brings a field of nearly 70 riders after deciding that they couldn’t go wrong with this ever more popular New England ride.

“As soon as we started to do this, so many people wanted to do the ride,” said Kelly Billings, TNT campaign manager for the Iowa chapter. “Many of them look forward to seeing the lighthouses, and many have never been to the East Coast, so they’re excited.”

All of our registered MLR riders are provided with maps, cue sheets, multiple rest stops, hot food, portable restrooms and a hand washing station, plus on-call support vehicles. Special offerings this year include Shipyard beer and Portland Pie pizza after the ride.

Riders can also expect a warm, encouraging greeting upon their return, from our troop of volunteers and their array of noisemakers and musical instruments! We warmly welcome — and can always use more — volunteers to spend the day with us. This page has the details and who to contact: http://easterntrail.org/index.php/join-us/volunteer-with-us.

While registration is closed for this year’s MLR, trail supporters and MLR enthusiasts alike can find information for the 2016 MLR in the coming weeks on our website, http://easterntrail.org. Photos from last year’s ride can be found at: //www.flickr.com/photos/53937668@N05/collections/72157647393518476/“>https://www.flickr.com/photos/53937668@N05/collections/72157647393518476/.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: (207) 284-9260
eta@EasternTrail.org

April 23, 2014 (Wells, Maine) – The Eastern Trail Alliance, an organization committed to the creation of a trail stretching from Kittery to South Portland, will hold its Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 15, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Old Marsh Country Club in Wells, Maine.

This year’s meeting will feature guest speaker Carl Knoch, Northeast Trail Development Manager for Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. In Maine, Carl has shared his expertise with advocates for the Eastern Trail, the Mountain Division Trail, and especially the Down East Sunrise Trail. Most recently, he provided guidance to the ETA as it developed its 2014 Economic Impact Study. Carl is personally leading the development of the Heritage Rail Trail in York County, Pennsylvania.Carl’s talk, True Confessions of a Trail Builder, will be followed by a question and answer session.

The Annual Meeting of the ETA is an opportunity for members of the community to meet our speaker and the officers and trustees of the ETA and the Eastern Trail Management District. Attendees can expect to learn more about the mission of the ETA while enjoying complimentary light refreshments. Following the meeting, all attendees are invited to join us for a select dinner of varied choices, all at very reasonable prices.

All are welcomed to join us. To RSVP, please contact the ETA at eta@easterntrail.org or 207-284-9260.

When completed, the Eastern Trail will connect the Piscataqua River in Kittery with Bug Light on Casco Bay in South Portland with a 65-mile, mostly off-road greenway. The Eastern Trail follows the route of the historic Eastern Railroad, the first rail line connecting Boston and the Portland area. It extends through 12 communities in York and Cumberland counties. The Eastern Trail is the Southern Maine portion of the 2,900 mile East Coast Greenway, which stretches from Key West, Florida to Calais, Maine.

The Alliance welcomes opportunities to tell groups about its dream. To schedule a no-cost Eastern Trail slide show, send an e-mail to eta@easterntrail.org or call the ETA’s office at (207) 284-9260. For more information about the Eastern Trail check www.easterntrail.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: (207) 284-9260
eta@EasternTrail.org

May 19, 2014 (Scarborough, Maine) – The Eastern Trail Alliance this week celebrates the 10-year anniversary of the groundbreaking ceremony that kicked off construction of the now well-known off-road section that runs through the Scarborough Marsh.

On May 19, 2004, work began on the Scarborough Marsh section of the Eastern Trail under the direction of the 12-town Eastern Trail Management District (ETMD), in partnership with many organizations including the Town of Scarborough. That section — still immensely popular with commuters, walkers, cyclists and birders — 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?” said John Andrews, president emeritus of the ETA, and one of its founders. “Many thanks to the 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.”

Andrews was joined for an informal ceremony on Monday, May 19 by fellow ETA founder and former trustee Tom Daley, who received a plaque for his and his wife Anita’s many years of service to the ETA. They were also joined by ETA Vice President & Secretary Bob LaNigra, ETA Vice President Bob Bowker, and Bruce Gullifer, Scarborough Community Services director and an ETMD founder, who facilitated the 2004 project.

When completed, the Eastern Trail will connect the Piscataqua River in Kittery with Bug Light on Casco Bay in South Portland with a 65-mile, mostly off-road greenway. The Eastern Trail follows the route of the historic Eastern Railroad, the first rail line connecting Boston and the Portland area. It extends through 12 communities in York and Cumberland counties. The Eastern Trail is the Southern Maine portion of the 2,900 mile East Coast Greenway, which stretches from Key West, Florida to Calais, Maine.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:Deborah Erickson-Irons, ETA
Board Member, 207-351-2659; email.

Presentation About the Eastern Trail Scheduled in North Berwick

March 14, 2013

An informational presentation, “The Eastern Trail: A Trail and a Vision” will be held on Tuesday, March 26, 2013, 7 PM, at the North Berwick Community Center, 264 Lebanon Road, North Berwick. Anyone interested in learning about the Eastern Trail, is invited to attend.

Have you driven I-95 through Kennebunk and seen the beautiful span over the highway that is part of the Eastern Trail? The off-road Eastern Trail currently ends at the Kennebunk Elementary school, but the vision of trail enthusiasts in Southern Maine, is for the off-road trail to continue through Wells, North Berwick, South Berwick, Eliot, and Kittery. The Eastern Trail Alliance is the focused effort to vision, build, promote and use the trail. The Alliance includes many supporters from throughout Southern Maine, hikers, bikers, X-country skiers, birders, and other outdoor enthusiasts, dedicated to creating, enjoying and maintaining the Eastern Trail.

Panel presenters on March 26 will share the history of building the off-road Eastern Trail, future plans for the trail, reasons to support the trail, and answer your questions regarding the project. Presenters will include Eastern Trail Management District President and Arundel Town Planner, Tad Redway; Eastern Trail Alliance and Saco City Planner, President Bob Hamblen; and Choose To Be Healthy Coalition Director, Deborah Erickson-Irons. Coffee, juice and small desserts will be served.

The Eastern Trail is a 65 mile section of the East Coast Greenway, a transportation-recreation greenway connecting South Portland to Kittery. The scenic on-road trail mostly follows quiet country roads. Bike riders, walkers, and hikers can enjoy beautiful outdoor experiences from South Portland’s Bug Light Park on Casco Bay (near Portland) to Kittery’s Piscataqua River. In addition to the on-road trail, the Eastern Trail has the growing length of off-road sections. For more information about the trail and about the meeting, please go to www.easterntrail.org, call the Eastern Trail Alliance office at 207-284-9260, or call Deborah Erickson-Irons at 207-351-2659.

Press Release

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)

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.

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: (207) 284-9260
eta@EasternTrail.org

March 15, 2012 (Biddeford, ME) – The Eastern Trail announced today that wet spring weather has led to excessive damage to trail surfaces and, therefore, the temporary closure of all off-road sections of the Eastern Trail. The Eastern Trail is posting notices of the trail closure at trail entrances and kiosks. Off-road areas will be closed until trail and weather conditions improve.

“The unusual winter this year has created freeze-thaw conditions that has seriously destabilized the Trail surface and made it particularly susceptible to damage from bicycles, horses, and even foot traffic” says Tad Redway, President of the Eastern Trail Management District. “If the Trail is given a rest for several weeks, then it will recover without the need for costly repairs and prolonged shutdowns during the peak of the spring season”.

The Eastern Trail Management District apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause. Any questions about this matter may be directed to the Eastern Trail office at 207-284-9260 or eta@easterntrail.org.

When completed, the Eastern Trail will connect the Piscataqua River in Kittery with Bug Light on Casco Bay in South Portland with a mostly off-road greenway. The Eastern Trail follows the route of the historic Eastern Railroad, the first rail line connecting Boston and the Portland area. It extends through 12 communities in York and Cumberland counties. The Eastern Trail is the Southern Maine portion of the 2,900 mile East Coast Greenway, which stretches from Key West, Florida to Calais, Maine.

The Eastern Trail Alliance welcomes opportunities to tell groups about its dream. To schedule a no-cost Eastern Trail slide show, send an e-mail to eta@easterntrail.org or call the ETA’s office at 284-9260. For more information about the Eastern Trail check www.easterntrail.org

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: (207) 284-9260
eta@EasternTrail.org

April 25, 2012 (Wells, Maine) – The Eastern Trail Alliance, an organization committed to the creation of a trail spanning from Kittery to South Portland, will hold its Annual Meeting on Thursday, May 17, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. at the Old Marsh Country Club in Wells, Maine.

The meeting will feature Eric Weis, trail coordinator for the East Coast Greenway Alliance, a post he has held since 1998. In this capacity, Weis oversees the organization’s trail program, directly staffing the New England and South Atlantic regions. He also manages the organization’s wayfinding program (maps, cue sheets, GPS, etc.) and helps shape the route and route policy. Weis is also the founder and director of the New England Bike-Walk Summit and creator/director of the New England Builders Ball, an annual celebration of small regional hand-built bicycle companies.

The Annual Meeting of the ETA is an opportunity for members of the community to meet our speaker and the officers and trustees of the ETA and the Eastern Trail Management District, and to learn more about the mission of the ETA while enjoying snacks and beverages at America’s greenest railroad station. Following the meeting, all attendees are invited to join us for a no-host optional dinner at a nearby restaurant.

When completed, the Eastern Trail will connect the Piscataqua River in Kittery with Bug Light on Casco Bay in South Portland with a mostly off-road greenway. The Eastern Trail follows the route of the historic Eastern Railroad, the first rail line connecting Boston and the Portland area. It extends through 12 communities in York and Cumberland counties. The Eastern Trail is the Southern Maine portion of the 2,900 mile East Coast Greenway, which stretches from Key West, Florida to Calais, Maine

The Alliance welcomes opportunities to tell groups about its dream. To schedule a no-cost Eastern Trail slide show, send an e-mail to eta@easterntrail.org or call the ETA’s office at 284-9260. For more information about the Eastern Trail check www.easterntrail.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: (207) 284-9260
eta@easterntrail.org

April 25, 2012 (Saco, ME) – The Eastern Trail Alliance will hold an official Opening Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 16 for its newest section of trail, which stretches from Thornton Academy in Saco to Milliken Mills Road in Old Orchard Beach and includes a bridge that spans Route 1 in Saco just north of Ross Road. The ceremony will take place at the trailhead on the Thornton Academy campus in Saco.

The Saco-OOB section, completed in January 2012, has already greatly increased public interest in, and use of, the entire Eastern Trail, thanks to its high visibility from two areas of the busy Route 1, Saco corridor and I-195. The new section’s 4.4 miles provides another crucial link in the development of this 65-mile greenway in southern Maine.

“Fourteen years ago a small group of area residents said, ‘Let’s make this old rail line into a trail,’ and we are now reaping the benefits,” said Eastern Trail Alliance President Bob Hamblen. “A big ‘thank you’ is due the voters of Saco, who approved a $500,000 bond in 2008 that made this possible.”

The opening ceremony’s invited guests include representatives from Saco and Old Orchard Beach; Maine Department of Transportation Commissioner David Bernhardt; Unitil, the New Hampshire gas company that owns most of the historic rail corridor; Maine Senators Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins; Congresswoman Chellie Pingree; section design firm Deluca-Hoffman Associates; and section building contractor Shaw Brothers Construction.

When completed, the Eastern Trail will connect the Piscataqua River in Kittery with Bug Light on Casco Bay in South Portland with a mostly off-road greenway. The Eastern Trail follows the route of the historic Eastern Railroad, the first rail line connecting Boston and the Portland area. It extends through 12 communities in York and Cumberland counties. The Eastern Trail is the Southern Maine portion of the 2,900 mile East Coast Greenway, which stretches from Key West, Florida to Calais, Maine.

The Eastern Trail Alliance welcomes opportunities to tell groups about its dream. To schedule a no-cost Eastern Trail slide show, send an e-mail to eta@easterntrail.org or call the ETA’s office at 284-9260. For more information about the Eastern Trail check www.easterntrail.org.

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: (207) 284-9260
eta@EasternTrail.org

April 25, 2012 (South Portland, ME) – The Eastern Trail Alliance, together with the East Coast Greenway Alliance, will host the ‘Spring on the Trail’ Bike Ride along the entire off-road portion of the Eastern Trail on Friday, May 18. The ride will showcase what’s been accomplished so far – including two recently completed bridges – and highlight the work that remains in developing this vital community resource.

Riders will meet at Bug Light Park in South Portland by 10:30 a.m. Riders and bikes then will be loaded for transport to Kennebunk to begin the 31-mile ride north on the Eastern Trail at 12 noon, finishing the trip back to Bug Light Park between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. Along the way, the group can expect a rest stop at Saco’s Thornton Academy, and views of a future section of trail in Scarborough. Riders will be treated to the spring beauty of southern Maine and the impressive engineering of the trail.

“This is the first ride organized by the Eastern Trail Alliance where you actually spend most of your time on the trail,” said Bob Bowker, vice president of the Eastern Trail Alliance. “If you enjoy biking in a car-free environment where the only distraction is the wind rustling through the trees, this is the ride for you.”

Registration is only available online, and is limited. Rental bikes and helmets are also available. For directions and information on the ride, including registration and bike rental links, visit the Eastern Trail website, www.easterntrail.org.

When completed, the Eastern Trail will connect the Piscataqua River in Kittery with Bug Light on Casco Bay in South Portland with a mostly off-road greenway. The Eastern Trail follows the route of the historic Eastern Railroad, the first rail line connecting Boston and the Portland area. It extends through 12 communities in York and Cumberland counties. The Eastern Trail is the Southern Maine portion of the 3,000 mile East Coast Greenway, which stretches from Key West, Florida to Calais, Maine.

The Eastern Trail Alliance welcomes opportunities to tell groups about its dream. To schedule a no-cost Eastern Trail slide show, send an e-mail to eta@easterntrail.org or call the ETA’s office at 284-9260. For more information about the Eastern Trail check www.easterntrail.org.

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