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Riders on the Eastern Trail late march 2026
Latest News

Late March Conditions on the Eastern Trail

Spring is here! Thinking about taking a ride or a walk along the Eastern Trail this week?

Walkers on the Eastern Trail late march 2026On March 27, our Trail Manager Patrick rode from Kennebunk to Scarborough and here’s what he reported about conditions on the Eastern Trail:

  • Scarborough: Clear of snow and ice; surface mostly dry and solid.
  • OOB: Use caution just north of the Old Cascade Rd crossing as snow and ice is present; surface is variable including dry and solid, soft and muddy, and lingering snow and ice, depending on the area.
  • Saco: Clear of snow and ice; surface mostly dry and solid.
  • Biddeford: Clear of snow and ice; surface mostly soft to slightly muddy.
  • Arundel: Ice and snow remain just north of Limerick Rd under dense pines—very slippery. The rest is soft to very muddy.
  • Kennebunk: Similar to Arundel, especially just south of the Kennebunk River crossing where ice, snow, and standing water are present.

Rain predicted for the coming week could soften trails further and create more puddles and mud—plan accordingly!

Snow and ice on the Eastern Trail late march 2026Don’t miss our new trailhead kiosk signage, installed just before winter—they’re beautiful, informational, and ready to greet and guide you. Happy trails!

We're Hiring - Eastern Trail Alliance
Latest News

We are Seeking an Interim Executive Director

Interim Executive Director Job Description 2026

The Eastern Trail Alliance (ETA) and Eastern Trail Management District (ETMD) seek a strategic and hands-on Interim Executive Director to lead both organizations for an 18–24 month term.

The Eastern Trail is a visionary plan for a long-distance walking and bicycling trail that will one day extend continuously off-road from South Portland to the Maine-New Hampshire border. The membership-based Eastern Trail Alliance (ETA) and the regional semi-municipal organization Eastern Trail Management District (ETMD) jointly manage the Eastern Trail, one of southern Maine’s most significant recreation and active transportation assets. The organizations share an executive director and a cost-sharing relationship.

We are currently looking for an interim Executive Director to partner with the ETA and ETMD Boards to assess our current structure, maintain operations, investigate operational models for trail organizations, define our trail-building strategy, and plan the transition for long term executive leadership.

The Interim Executive Director will have the guidance and support of the Boards and staff for their entire tenure. During the 18-24 month term, the Interim Executive Director will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of our programs, trail management projects, fundraising efforts, financial oversight, and community partnerships while shepherding the organization through a period of transition

Key Responsibilities:

  • Provide unified leadership across ETA and ETMD to the staff, volunteers, and board members.
  • Support the Board in defining the purpose and structure of the organization.
  • Lead the development and oversight of annual budgets for both ETA and ETMD, ensuring strong fiscal controls, responsible expenditure approval, and accurate financial reporting across entities.
  • Working with the development committee,begin the design and implementation of a comprehensive fundraising strategy, including donor cultivation, grant writing, and sponsorship opportunities.
  • Oversee and/or manage projects and events, ensuring their effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with the organization’s goals.
  • Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, as well as ethical standards governing nonprofit organizations.
  • Work with staff and board to maintain existing relationships with community stakeholders, government agencies, and other local nonprofit organizations to leverage partnerships and maximize the organization’s impact.
  • Serves as the chief spokesperson and is responsible for all public relations.
  • Performs other duties as directed by the board of directors.

Skills and Experience:

  • Experience with organizational development and organizations in transition
  • Ability to identify areas of needed organizational improvement and help to prioritize needed changes
  • Nonprofit business management experience, including: general non-profit business expertise, managing people and change, budgeting, and fundraising skills.
  • Proven ability to develop and execute strategy while managing day-to-day operations in a lean, hands-on environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with diverse stakeholders, including community members, donors, and government officials.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Knowledge of nonprofit governance, legal compliance, and best practices in nonprofit management.
  • Knowledge of Quickbooks Online is required; Google Workspace, Donor Perfect, and Constant Contact are a plus.

This position is structured as an 18-24 month appointment to support both the Boards to align on long-term vision while advancing day-to-day operations.

Job Information:
Job Category: Executive/Senior Management
Salary:$88,000 – $110,000
Position Type: Full Time, Exempt
Reports to: ETA and ETMD Board of Directors
Experience: 6-10 years
Education: Bachelor’s Degree

Compensation will be commensurate with experience and skills. Benefits include generous time off policy and health care subsidy.

Location: The office is located in Biddeford, ME. The organization operates on a flexible work schedule. Work on nights and weekends occasionally required as programming and board meetings dictate. Position requires a valid drivers license and automobile as there will be frequent local travel.

Physical Activities: Lifting of up to 50 pounds; potential for sitting for several hours at a time; potential for standing on feet for 8 hours a day.

The ETA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender identity, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status.

Residency within commuting distance of Biddeford, ME is required. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor employment visas.

To apply: Please send a resume and cover letter to jobs@easterntrail.org with “Interim Executive Director” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and continue until the position is filled.

Download/View a pdf of the Job Description here

John Andrews Memorial 5k Logo
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John Andrews Memorial Eastern Trail 5K Walk/Run May 30

Join us on Saturday, May 30, 2026 for a timed 3.1 mile trail run or walk along the scenic Eastern Trail followed by an awards ceremony to celebrate and acknowledge the top finishers. The race begins and ends in the Mill Brook Industrial Park (Saco, ME) with ample parking at Maine Molecular. Registration fee is $35 per person, $40 day of the race for adults, or $25 for students (13 to 17 years old) and youth (12 and under) Register on or before May 2nd to receive a free race tech t-shirt.

Register now!

This race honors John Andrews, the Eastern Trail’s legendary founder, who passed away in 2017. John’s vision to create the Eastern Trail started in the early 1990s. He worked patiently and persistently for decades to put the Eastern Trail on the map throughout southern Maine. Today, hundreds of thousands of visitors enjoy the trail every year. Your participation in this race and generous support enables the Eastern Trail Alliance to continue John’s mission, working to ensure the existing trail is well maintained, safe, and clean, and ultimately extended to Kittery through ongoing trail-building campaigns.

Trails Film Festival
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World Trails Film Festival – March 28 7-9 pm

World Trails Film Festival + Panel
March 28, 2026 | 7:00 – 9:00 pm
Location: USM Hannaford Hall – 88 Bedford Street Portland, ME

Please join us and our partners for the World Trails Film Festival on Saturday, March 28, 2026.

Doors open at 6:30 pm, with a panel discussion at 7:00 pm and films starting at 7:30 pm. Arrive early to hear ETA Trail Manager Patrick Conlon and other regional leaders discuss the Greater Portland trail system. Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students, and $5 for children under 12. Tickets can be purchased here.
Cohosts are: Portland Trails, Presumpscot Regional Land Trust, Falmouth Land Trust, Freeport Conservation Trust, Cape Elizabeth Land Trust, Scarborough Land Trust, Royal River Conservation Trust, South Portland Land Trust, and the Maine Land Trust Network.
We're Hiring - Eastern Trail Alliance
Latest News

We’re looking to hire an Office Administrator

Are you interested in a part-time role supporting one of southern Maine’s most beloved trails? The Eastern Trail Alliance is seeking a part-time Office Administrator.

The Office Administrator provides support for Eastern Trail operations and administration. The Office Administrator develops and implements efficient systems for bookkeeping, office management, and events, along with other duties as assigned. This position supports staff, the Board of Directors, and, at times, donors, partners, and volunteers. This part-time position works closely with and is supervised by the Executive Director.

This is a part-time, hybrid position working approximately 10-20 hours per week, with a flexible schedule based on deadlines and events. Some infrequent night and weekend work is anticipated. Event staffing can involve moving pop-up tents, tables, chairs and some moderate lifting (up to 30 pounds) on an occasional basis. The anticipated hourly rate for this position is approximately $25 per hour, with final compensation depending on experience.

Residency within commuting distance of Biddeford, ME is required. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We are unable to sponsor employment visas.

To apply: Please submit a resume and cover letter (PDF format) to jobs@easterntrail.org with “Office Administrator” in the subject line. Applications will be reviewed as they are received and continue until the position is filled.

Duties and Responsibilities

Bookkeeping. The Office Administrator works in coordination with the Executive Director and outside accounting agencies to perform bookkeeping for the Eastern Trail Alliance and the Eastern Trail Management District in QuickBooks Online.

  • Completes bookkeeping functions including accounts payable, accounts receivable, and banking. Coordinates monthly reconciliations and reports in a timely manner. Follows segregation of duties and accounting principles to coordinate financial record-keeping and reviews with internal and external partners.
  • Coordinates biweekly payroll with payroll service.
  • Works closely with the entire team to contribute to the preparation of and adherence to the organizations’ annual budgets.
  • Keeps records and documentation in accordance with annual audit requirements and supports the annual financial review process with reports and information as needed by the Executive Director, Finance Committee, and external auditors.

Office Management. The Office Administrator manages the day-to-day needs of the Eastern Trail Alliance office.

  • Provides professional front desk services including greeting visitors, managing incoming calls and emails, and responding to general inquiries.
  • Manages all mail and package operations and supplies. Maintains a well-organized office including computers, office equipment, and electronic and paper filing systems.
  • Serves as the primary point of contact with building management for maintenance requests and other building-related services.
  • Coordinates purchasing by researching, placing orders, and interfacing with vendors for insurance, office supplies, equipment, payroll service, banking, financial audit, IT services, and other operational needs.
  • Manages organizational materials such as guides and brochures by coordinating design, production, and distribution and/or sale.
  • Coordinates development operations with proper financial controls including processing donations, maintaining the donor database, generating gift acknowledgments, coordinating outreach mailings, and producing reports.

Events. The Office Administrator assists with ETA events such as the Maine Lighthouse Ride and John Andrews Memorial 5K, as well as smaller events and tabling opportunities.

  • Coordinates permits and insurance, processes sponsor contributions, and maintains participant records.
  • Coordinates the Special Event Permit process when the community requests use of the trail.
  • Helps set up, staff, and take down events and coordinates equipment and promotional materials.

Qualifications

  • A minimum of five years experience in bookkeeping, administrative support, nonprofits, or a related field.
  • Nonprofit bookkeeping experience is required
  • Proficient with QuickBooks Online (QBO) is required
  • Experience with office management and purchasing
  • Strong computer and administrative skills with an attention to detail
  • Self-motivated and comfortable working independently and as part of a team
  • Excellent customer service skill and ability to interface (either written or orally) with a variety of stakeholders and audiences including board members, vendors, accountants, volunteers, as well as the public
  • Preferred: DonorPerfect or other donor databases.

The ETA is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, national origin, gender identity, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or marital status.

Organizational Summary. The Eastern Trail Alliance (ETA) is a 501(c)(3) membership-based organization that builds, maintains, and promotes the Eastern Trail, southern Maine’s premier multi-use greenway. Together with the Eastern Trail Management District (ETMD), a semi-municipal organization, the two sister organizations manage the Eastern Trail.

The Eastern Trail is a visionary plan for a long-distance, multi-use trail that will one day extend continuously off-road from South Portland to the Maine-New Hampshire border. Designed to support a wide range of outdoor activity—including walking, birdwatching, cross-country skiing, and cycling—the Eastern Trail serves both recreational and transportation purposes. Today, approximately twenty miles of non-contiguous protected, off-road trail is complete.

 

Full moon on the Eastern Trail
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April 1 Full Moon Walk on the Eastern Trail

Join the Eastern Trail Alliance for its April 2026 full moon walk in the Scarborough Marsh. This month’s full moon will be a Pink Moon. The April Moon Walk will be held Wednesday, April 1st 7:00 –8:30 pm. The walk leaves from the Eastern Trail’s Pine Point parking area (138 Pine Point Road in Scarborough). Registration is required – go here to register.

The walk is limited to 25 people and is first come first serve.

Pets and flashlights are not allowed for this event so as to ensure guests are able to best appreciate the marsh and full moon. Please email info@easterntrail.org with any questions you may have.

Visit our EVENTS page for information on other events.

Maine Lighthouse Ride
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Registration Open for 2026 Maine Lighthouse Ride!

Registration is now open for the 2026 Maine Lighthouse Ride – Saturday, September 19, 2026! The 2026 event will be one week later than our typical timing due to venue availability and logistical constraints.

Go here to Register for another unforgettable ride!

The Maine Lighthouse Ride is a big, rolling celebration of cycling in Maine, and September along the Maine coast is always something to celebrate. We cannot wait for you to experience the crisp introduction of fall in the air and among the trees, a perfect backdrop to elevate your MLR adventure.

September in southern Maine is nothing short of spectacular: the crowds have thinned, and the weather is ideal for riding, with pleasant temperatures and sunny highs in the 66-72 °F range. It’s a micro season, the very best of summer and fall combined, inviting you to pedal, explore, and savor every moment.

We understand that the 2026 event date coincides with many other events in Maine this September. It was a difficult and ultimately unavoidable decision, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience. We greatly appreciate your support and understanding and hope you’ll join us!

We are excited to welcome you back for the fun, food, and far-reaching mix of coastal and pastoral views that make the Maine Lighthouse Ride so special. Thank you for supporting the Eastern Trail Alliance and the Eastern Trail, southern Maine’s premier multi-use greenway, through your participation!

Warm regards,

Maine Lighthouse Ride Planning Team
Eastern Trail Alliance

Your participation supports the Eastern Trail Alliance, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that builds, maintains, and promotes the Eastern Trail, southern Maine’s premier multi-use greenway.

 

New bridge being installed on the Eastern Trail over the Nonesuchiver
Latest News

New steel bridge installed on Eastern Trail aims to connect Scarborough and South Portland

by WGME Staff | Sun, December 28, 2025 at 4:29 PM

SCARBOROUGH, Maine (WGME) — A new steel bridge is in place on the Eastern Trail in Scarborough.

It’s a 35-foot prefabricated bridge over the Nonesuch River.

The bridge is an effort to close the gap on a multi-use trail between Scarborough and South Portland.

Officials believe this will create a safer, off-road connection for walking and biking.

Read the entire article online here.

Shovels lined up on area of new Eastern Trail construction
Latest News

Upgrades You’ll See and Feel on the Eastern Trail!

Greetings!

Eastern Trail Kiosk near Limerick RoadEveryone likes an upgrade – whether it’s a better seat on a plane or new tires on your bicycle. As the Trail Manager, I’m happy to share a few upgrades that are already improving your Eastern Trail experience and more that are on the way.

Over the last couple weeks, I’ve installed newly designed kiosk signage at trailheads along the Eastern Trail from Scarborough to Kennebunk, marking the successful completion of our 2025 signage project. The response from trail users has been extremely positive. The next time you’re out, take a moment to stop and check one out – I think you’ll notice the difference!

There’s another major upgrade underway, too: new trail construction. The gap between Scarborough and South Portland is finally being closed with a safe, off-road trail connection complete with two bridges. In fact, the bridge over the Nonesuch River was just installed this month. After years of planning and persistence, this exciting project is moving forward, with completion expected in 2027.

This past year, I had the pleasure of meeting many of you on the Eastern Trail. You’ve shared how you use it to commute by bicycle, walk daily for your health, train for races, watch birds in the marsh, or simply find a moment of peace in an often chaotic world. No matter how you enjoy it, one thing is clear: the Eastern Trail is a true gem.

My job is to keep that gem polished. I monitor and maintain the Eastern Trail day to day so it’s safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone. That work is only possible because of supporters like you. As we approach the year’s end, I invite you to make a tax-deductible donation to support this essential work in 2026. Your gift helps maintain the trail you love today and makes future upgrades possible. Please make a generous contribution today.

Patrick Conlon ET Trail ManagerThank you for being part of the Eastern Trail community. I look forward to seeing you on the trail in the new year!

DONATE NOW!

Thank you,

Patrick Conlon
Trail Manager
Eastern Trail Alliance

 

https://www.easterntrail.org/