May 05, 2007
Mackworth Island update
The girls were really upset a couple of weeks ago when they heard that the trails at Mackworth Island were "closed indefinitely" because of the Patriot's Day Nor'Easter.
So I emailed Portland Trails to see if they had any updates about the island's trail repairs.
Isabel Aley, Development and Outreach Associate for Portland Trails, emailed me back with some good news; the trail around the island is temporarily open!
An update about the trail was actually posted on the Governor Baxter School for the Deaf website (which I never thought to look at but now know to check in the future).
The walking path here on Mackworth Island has been re-opened temporarily. The path is safe to walk but there are two areas of concern that will be addressed shortly by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Dirt from the stone pier was washed away and until the DOC is able to bring in some new fill the pier will be blocked off from access. Away from the path are trees that continue to litter the woods and plans are underway to contract with a professional forester to haul away and clean up the woods. When this occurs the walking path will be closed for approximately 1-2 weeks.
Hopefully fairy house construction will resume soon as well.
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I walked this last night, first time since the storm. I regret I didn't take my camera, but the devastation needs to be seen to be believed. I've been walking here for almost 15 years and was astounded at the amount of trees just leveled.
Especially sad is the area around Gov. Baxter's pet cemetery for his Irish setters. You know how that was such a sanctuary under the pines (red?) ? It's in the clear now, almost every tree in that vicinity is down, many partway covering the stone wall that encloses the graves. It didn't look like the same place.
It really appears as if a small tornado tore a path through the center of the island.
Unbelievable.
Posted by
SandieMay 10, 2007 10:08 PM
Thanks for the update Sandie. I can't believe that the many, many trees around the pet cemetery are gone! We hope to get to the island in the next couple of weeks (we don't live near there) to see for ourselves.
Very sad indeed!
Posted by
Wendy AlmeidaMay 11, 2007 07:14 AM
I went out last night to walk again, and there are signs saying the hiking trails are closed. So I expect they are working on removing the mountains of dead fall. Did you ever get out there to see the swath of destruction?
Posted by
SASJune 6, 2007 10:25 AM
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