Messages from the ETA President and Executive Director

2020 ETA Annual Meeting Program

A message from the ETA President, Deb Erickson-Irons       

In these uncertain and unprecedented times when it seems like everything is changing, I want to reassure you that one constant is the commitment of the ETA to build, maintain, and promote the use of the Eastern Trail. We continue to do everything we can to encourage the Maine DOT and other partners to start the construction phase to complete the 1.6-mile “gap” in the off-road trail between South Portland and Scarborough. As of this January 20, over $200,000 has been raised toward funding the survey and design for the section of trail planned between Kennebunk and Wells while we focus on bringing the trail South. We have updated our kiosks for the benefit of our trail users and have responded to the need to practice Covid-19 precautions due to record-high numbers of users on the trail.

We know that the Eastern Trail is of benefit to all who walk or ride on it, and that its use contributes to the economic well-being of the communities that are located on the trail. While we learn to live with the current pandemic and the eventual post-pandemic reality, we promise to stay focused on the incomparable resource that is the Eastern Trail.

Best wishes for your continued health and well-being.  See you on the trail!

A message from the ETA Executive Director, Nancy Borg       

How I wish we could be sharing a toast to the Eastern Trail at Vinegar Hill celebrating another exciting and eventful year together.

The Eastern Trail shared many great times in 2019 with members, volunteers, sponsors, and community representatives at a variety of events; Open Trails Day, 3^rd Annual Taste of the Town Gala, 4^th Annual John Andrews 5K, our 2019 Annual Meeting at Vinegar Hill, Many Full Moon Walks in Scarborough, Iron Man event in Old Orchard, Our 16^th Annual Maine Lighthouse Ride (despite Hurricane Dorian), Autumn to Ale 10K and the Maine Marathon.  Each of those events contributed much needed funds to the Eastern Trail for operational support and Project Campaigns.

In addition to these outings, we also updated our Website, welcomed several new board members with a diverse list of talents and experience, and revitalized our trail kiosks for a cleaner, current and accessible representation of our trail.

The Eastern Trail has proven to our communities how important of a resource this is for our mental health and physical well being.  Never has this been truer than the spring of 2020.

As a valuable member of the Eastern Trail, thank you.  The best is yet to come!