Three communities are making steady progress on projects funded by the Northern Forest Destination Development initiative to serve residents and visitors with improved outdoor recreation opportunities.
A cyclist with a flat tire proved the worth of the Gorham’s new bicycle repair station installed as part of a larger project add visitor kiosks on high-use trails, build new parking for Androscoggin River sport access on Howland Avenue, and complete branding and signage to promote lasting economic development. The Center supported the project with a $40,000 grant.
“The first biker pulled into the repair station less than 10 minutes after it was installed!” said Denise M. Vallee, Gorham town manager. “He was a happy biker as he headed back out onto the Presidential Rail trail to continue his ride!”
A framework is in place for a new information kiosk for the Route 2 parking lot, and the town plans other improvements to make the repair station more visible and easily accessible.
“Outdoor recreation is vital to Gorham’s present and future economic development,” said Vallee. “Our long-term goals align to promote Gorham as a safely walkable and bike-friendly community: we are a trail community for all. This wayfinding work adds to the collective momentum of building sustainable trail accessibility and promoting stewardship of Gorham’s natural resources.”
The Greensboro Land Trust put its $12,000 grant into upgrading a trail stretching from Caspian Lake to Barr Hill and circling the summit of Barr Hill. They installed three full-color panoramas to help visitors identify mountains from each viewpoint along the Barr Hill Nature Trail.
“The project links and upgrades the two most popular hiking trails in Greensboro — the Porter Brook Nature Trail ending near Caspian Lake, and The Nature Conservancy’s Barr Hill Natural Area,” said Clive Gray, chairman of the Greensboro Land Trust. “These trails attract hundreds of local and out-of-town visitors in spring, summer and fall. We hope the improvements will attract many more visitors to our town.”
This Maine town, know for its lake and mountains, is creating a wayfinding system to support outdoor recreation with its $36,000 grant. “We are lucky to live in one of the best parts of Maine and this grant is helping us all — community members and visitors — get outside and get active and healthy,” said David Miller, executive director of the Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust.
The new signs are assembled and scheduled for installation this fall. The Maine Department of Transportation paved the “Madrid Gateway” pullout on Rte. 4, after installing granite curbs and landscaping, to create parking for six cars. A new kiosk with information about trails and natural attractions guides visitors.
These are a few of the 21 grants awarded more than $600,000 in 2020 and 2021 to improve outdoor recreation access and resources for residents and visitors. The grant program is an initiative of the Center in Maine and New Hampshire, offered in partnership with Northeastern Vermont Development Association and the NEK (Northeast Kingdom) Collaborative in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. The initiative was supported by the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC).