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Archived News

Many articles about the Eastern Trail are organized on this news archives page. The most recent articles appear immediately below, with the first part of each article displayed. Click on any article title, or the “Read More..” link to read the full text of that article.

 

 

Archived News
March 20, 20130

North Berwick to host community forum on the Eastern Trail

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

NORTH BERWICK, Maine — An informational presentation, “The Eastern Trail: A Trail and a Vision” will be held at 7 pm on Tuesday, March 26 at the North Berwick Community Center, 264 Lebanon Road in 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 President and Saco City Planner Bob Hamblen; and Choose To Be Healthy Coalition Director Deborah Erickson-Irons. Coffee, juice and small desserts will be served.

— About the Eastern Trail —
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 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.

Archived News
March 18, 20130

Eastern Trail Informational Meeting – North Berwick, March 26, 2013

NoBerwickSETAMtg032613EASTERN TRAIL INFORMATIONAL MEETING

Held Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Included a slide show covering Vision, Successes, and Challenges

And an Eastern Trail Experts Panel:
Eastern Trail Founder, President Emeritus John Andrews
Eastern Trail Alliance President Bob Hamblen, Saco Planner
Eastern Trail Management District President Tad Redway, Arundel Planner

Why was this meeting held in North Berwick, a town that has not supported the ET for ten years? Last year, Kennebunk and Wells asked Maine DOT to fund a final design, ready-to-bid, package for the ET from the end of the off-road section in Kennebunk all the way south as far as their towns allow. That would have meant ending at Perry Oliver Road in Wells. MDOT’s informal response has been that the ET must provide connectivity between major locations. In other words, if the design and construction does not extend all the way to Pratt-Whitney in North Berwick, the project is not fundable.

Some possible outcomes from the meeting:

  • Convince NB to return to ET support.
  • Convince MDOT that because NB will never support the ET, that another non-NB option must be accepted.
  • End the off-road ET in Kennebunk.

Click here to read a news article about this meeting (3/19, Foster’s Online).  Click here to read another news article about this meeting (Kennebunk Post). Click here to view a video of the meeting.

Click here to view a document that described route options through North Berwick, and includes color maps(this is a large pdf file, it may take some time to download).

Archived News
February 18, 20130

So. Berwick considers taking Eastern Trail route off-road

Says recreational path helps bring tourists to region

By Molly McPherson news@seacoastonline.com
February 07, 2013 2:00 AM

SOUTH BERWICK, Maine — The Eastern Trail Alliance is hoping to build new off-road trails to replace the current on-road sections of the trail located in town.

Members of the group recently met with the Town Council to discuss the trail improvements. Carole Brush, executive director of the alliance, thanked the town for its continued support of the alliance’s efforts and offered assistance in seeking money to help pay for the design and construction of the new trails.

“South Berwick had been particularly loyal in looking for ways to get the trail funded and built,” Brush said.

The 65-mile Eastern Trail, which is the southern Maine section of the East Coast Greenway trail, connects South Portland to Kittery. However, none of the 22 miles of off-road trails are in southern York County.

“Maine needs new trails,” said Anita Rosencrantz, South Berwick’s representative on the Eastern Trail Management District, a group of volunteers representing towns throughout Maine that abut the trail.

Read the entire article online here

Archived News
December 29, 20120

New mile markers for Eastern Trail

Arundel Public Works Director Roger Taschereau, left, and Kennebunk Public Works Director Mike Claus, put the finishing touches on a mileage marker on the Eastern Trail.

Seacoastonline.com – December 27, 2012 2:00 AM

Last week, 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 recreationalists 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.

All distances on the installed signs are measured from the Eastern Trail’s starting point at Bug Light in South Portland Harbor and will terminate at the completed Memorial Bridge in Kittery. The idea of installing emergency mile markers was first broached by the police and fire departments of host communities along the trail. A committee of emergency responders headed by Chief Mike Thurlow of the Scarborough presented the sign design that was adopted by the Eastern Trail Management District for the entire trail.

Read the full article on-line here:

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Archived News
December 2, 20120

Tracks aplenty on the Eastern Trail

The trail is humming with energy and events — and it’s not done growing.

By Deirdre Fleming dfleming@mainetoday.com, Staff Writer. Posted December 1, 2012

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.

Moments later, 40 interested hikers slowly drove up in the dark behind Kennebunk Elementary School to gather around Andrews and naturalist Joe Yuhas at the trail’s kiosk. And after Yuhas, a former University of New England science professor, exclaimed this would be a natural history hike and search for wildlife, the headlamps went off and chatter ceased.

“You don’t have to take a vow of silence, but we’ll move along quietly and see what we see,” Yuhas suggested.

Read the full article online here

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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.

Click here to read the entire article on-line

https://www.easterntrail.org/