#mainetrails — Public Fediverse posts

So, the news isn't all doom and gloom... The #SouthPortlandME to #SacoME portion of #EasternTrail is about to be completed (August 6th is the date). That means folks can walk / bike from #BugLight in South Portland, ME to #KitteryME! Wow!

Eastern Trail "Close the Gap" Project

"The Eastern Trail is a vital multi-use trail of state-wide significance in Maine. The trail extends 65 miles from South Portland to #KitteryME, and travels by scenic #woods, #TidalMarshes, and classic #MaineVillages. Since its Scarborough developments from 2004-2006, the trail has provided millions of people with a recreational and transportation resource that connects them to the beautiful Maine landscape.

"A key piece of trail is missing in Scarborough. A 1.6-mile 'gap' interrupts off-road travel between South Portland and Saco. The construction of this critical trail segment will close this gap and provide 16 continuous off-road miles reaching from South Portland’s Bug Light to Downtown Saco. The cost to close this gap is $7.1 million dollars. Funding was sourced from the Town of Scarborough, City of South Portland, Maine Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and #EasternTrailAlliance individual and corporate donors.

"After several years of work to raise the necessary funds, complete the project design, align stakeholders, and acquire the necessary permits and land rights, the project went out to bid in Spring 2025 and construction began in June."

Read more:
https://www.scarboroughmaine.org/stay-connected/municipal-projects/close-the-gap

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineTrails #RailsToTrails #BikeTooter #BikeTrails #MaineBicycleCoalition #EastCoastGreenway #AccessibleTrails #HikingTrails

#Maine - Indian Cellar

"#SacoRiver Indian Cellar is an 81-acre municipal park maintained by the Hollis Conservation Commission. Visitors will find 8 different trails encompassing 2.5 miles that lead to the scenic shores of the Saco River and a handful of picnic spots. The preserve offers opportunities for cross-country skiing, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, running, snowshoeing, swimming, and hiking. Canoe and kayak access to Indian Cellar is available nearby at Pleasant Point Park in Buxton. The #LandForMainesFuture Board supported the acquisition of the Saco River Indian Cellar in 2009.

"Indian Cellar Preserve contains roughly three miles of trails that lead to the mouth of the Saco River. A 1.6-mile perimeter trail wraps around the river, with several additional interior trails. The site divides the towns of #BuxtonME and #HollisME. Visitors can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities at the site during all four seasons, including swimming, hiking, fishing, and cross-country skiing.

"The Indian Cellar got its name from the bedrock walls along the Saco River, which were deep and cool enough for #Indigenous people to store their food. Thanks to the town of Hollis, the Land for Maine’s Future program, and several private donors, the site was preserved in 2009 after a developer proposed dividing the land into several expensive lots."

Activities: Cross-country skiing, fishing, horseback riding, mountain biking, running, snowshoeing, swimming, picnicking, and hiking

FMI - https://mainebyfoot.com/indian-cellar-preserve-hollis/

History sources:
https://www.nrcm.org/explore-maine-map/indian-cellar-preserve/

https://landformainesfuture.org/destination/saco-river-indian-cellar/

#SolarPunkSunday #MaineTrails
#MaineByFoot #NaturePreserve
#Nature #PreservingNature #SouthernMaine