Although the Northern Forest offers incredible opportunities to get outdoors, communities often lack resources to improve their in-town trails, run outdoor programs, or create new recreation opportunities. This spring, the Center launched an effort to improve recreation resources for rural residents, awarding grants to 15 volunteer-led organizations across the region looking to increase access for residents.

With funding for the program provided by LL Bean, the Center is deploying these funds across the region to organizations supporting kayaking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, skating, snowmobiling, and more. Learn about all these great projects below.

Maine

The Bethel Recreation Board in Bethel, Maine, received a grant to purchase a fleet of ice skates and helmets for the Mahoosuc Kids Association.

Bucks on Bikes Club in Buckfield, Maine, received a grant to build a bike skills park at the public school, Buckfield Junior-Senior High School.

Four Seasons Trail Association in Madawaska, Maine, received a grant to purchase new snowshoes for its community lending library.

“This grant enables us to serve the Greater Madawaska area by providing modern trail walking snowshoes to access our amazing snowshoe trails,” said Colin Jandreau, president of Four Seasons Trail Association. “Groups like our Wednesday Walkers, student groups, FSTA members and the general public will be able to access the outdoors during the longer, colder months. We’re really pleased to be part of this amazing opportunity!”

Meddybemps Lake Land Trust in Calais, Maine, received a grant to create a parking area and improve trails for better access to their beach.

“We’re grateful for the grant from the Northern Forest Center and LLBean,” said Cheryl Zwingman, director of Meddybemps Lake Land Trust. “Our organization is focused on conservation of land surrounding Meddybemps Lake, and the tract of land where we’ll use this grant has been privately owned for decades. We’ll be able to open the area to hikers, anglers, swimmers, kayakers, campers, and others with a parking are and an improved walking trail leading to a beautiful natural beach. We look forward to the community being able to come and enjoy this pristine lake and the surrounding natural landscape.”

Northern Timber Cruisers in Millinocket, Maine received a grant to install signage to remind users to stay on the trails.

Rangeley Skating Club in Rangeley, Maine, received a grant to purchase new ice skates, hockey sticks, hockey pucks, and a snowblower to improve its public rink and support youth hockey programs.

“The Rangeley Skating Club is honored to receive $1,500 from Northern Forest and LL Bean,” said Seth Noonkester, board member of Rangeley Skating Club, which creates and maintains outdoor, public skating rinks on Haley Pond in the heart of downtown Rangeley. “The grant funds will replenish our aging skating equipment that we lend to the public for free. This club wouldn’t exist if it wasn’t for the tight knit community of Rangeley and outdoor recreational focused organizations like Northern Forest and LL Bean.”

New Hampshire

Randolph Mountain Club in Randolph, NH, received a grant to purchase tools and rewards for trail adopters in its new Trail Adopter Program. The club helps maintain 102 miles of trail in the Northern Presidential Mountains as well as a large network of easier paths in the Randolph valley, traditionally used by residents to visit neighboring houses.

“The funds from the Northern Forest Center will allow the club to purchase tools for trained adopters who want to work on their own schedule on a specific trail that they agree to maintain,” said Deva Steketee, Director of the Randolph Mountain Club. “We hope through this program to welcome a new group of dedicated volunteers who will continue to contribute to the club’s mission of preserving the trails for all to use.”

Vermont

Link in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, received a grant to purchase bike locks and helmets for its gear lending library.

Northeast Disabled Athletic Association in Burlington, Vermont, received a grant to purchase equipment and supplies for its adaptive kayaking program.

“The Northeast Disabled Athletic Association’s (NDAA) adaptive kayaking program reduces barriers to outdoor recreation in northern Vermont and upstate New York and encourages people of all abilities to explore New England lakes and ponds,” said Cathy Webster, program manager at NDAA. “We offer a fleet of adapted kayaks so users can enjoy the freedom, confidence, and independence that kayaking offers.”

Northfield Community Development Network in Northfield, Vermont, received a grant to provide 25 seasonal pool passes to families in need

“Thanks to the Northern Forest Center, we have an opportunity to see children and families who might not otherwise enjoy a summer of swimming spend quality time playing and cooling off on hot summer days,” said Tom Davis, Northfield’s Economic Development director. “The grant would not have been possible without the support of NCDN and the Northfield School System. We cannot thank them enough, nor can be forget how fortunate we are for the generosity of the Northern Forest Center and L.L. Bean. It will be a great summer for even more families now!”

Riders in Plainfield-Marshfield, in Plainfield and Marshfield, Vermont, received a grant to support kiosks, signage, and two public events at Twinfield Union School.

“This funding will allow us to better connect our community with the trails in their own backyard, whether it’s to volunteer or to recreate,” said Sarah Galbraith, who leads Riders in Plainfield and Marshfield, a chapter of the Vermont Mountain Bike Association. “We are thrilled to be able to support community recreation access with updated trail signage, new informational kiosks, and community events that get people on the trails.”  

“Twinfield School is excited to be working with so many community partners to make recreation easier to access and navigate on our land,” said Pam Quinn, who leads the Twinfield Together mentoring program at Twinfield Union School, where the project is taking place. “We can’t wait to host our first adventure night where people can come together as a community to enjoy our grounds for biking, hiking, and sharing our love of the land. Many thanks to the Northern Forest Center for helping us get this project off the ground.”

New York

Boonville Search and Rescue in Boonville, NY, received a grant to purchase cross-country skis for its fleet of equipment, which it has been lending to community members for 40 years.  The Bgroup is an all-volunteer organization that is on- call 24/7 to search for lost children, elderly, lost hunters and anyone in need.

“Boonville Search and Rescue is extremely excited to receive grant money for more x-country skis for our program,” said Michelle Bartelotte, secretary of the Boonville Search and Rescue board. “It is perfect for our community to be able to borrow skis for the day instead of investing in equipment that the children would only outgrow by the next year. More than 1,886 people used our equipment during COVID, many for the first time. We have groomed trails right outside our building for people to try to ski. Those new skiers have continued their love with the outdoors each year since.”

Friends of Higley Flow State Park in Colton, NY, received a grant to create signage and maps for their free cross-country ski network.

Town of Franklin, NY, received a grant to purchase eight mountain bikes for their North Country Kids day camp.

“Last summer we built a pump track at Kate Mountain Park,” said Rachelle Waters, Town of Franklin Council member. “Kids love it, and we’d like to get even more kids out on the track. We came up with a plan to offer bike clinics at our summer day camp, but we worried that many campers wouldn’t be able to participate because they don’t have mountain bikes. Now thanks to your support, all the kids at Kate Mountain Park summer camp can join the fun. “We’re incredibly grateful to the Northern Forest Center and LL Bean for this recreation grant.”

Upper Hudson Trails Alliance in Johnsburg, NY, received a grant to create a tool library for trail building projects and maintenance.

“The communities of Northern Warren County, NY, have shovel-ready trail building projects waiting to be completed and an interested volunteer community chomping at the bit to make them a reality,” said Drew Cappabianca, president of Upper Hudson Trails Alliance. “All we needed were the tools to put in people’s hands to make it happen. Thanks to the Northern Forest Center and LL Bean we will now have the tools to make the community’s trail dreams come true.”