If you're a resident of or visitor to the Greater Portland area then you are some lucky when it comes to urban trails.

We've got the best of the best here.

That's because Portland Trails, its staff, its wealth of volunteers, its trail friends and supporters, and its affiliated trail groups are the model for conservation, cooperation, and communication.

"It's all about building community," Portland Trails Executive Director Nan Cumming has told me so often.

Indeed it is. And how successful they have been!

Note above that I mentioned "Greater Portland" and not just Portland.

That's right. Portland Trails' efforts have gone so well that the organization is moving ahead with bigger plans to build and connect trails beyond the core city of Portland.

That means more work to be done, more relations to be developed in Westbrook, Falmouth, South Portland and maybe beyond.

An aggressive plan, but one that is undoubtedly within reach of this organization.

All of this good news was on display Tuesday evening at the Portland Trails 15th Annual Meeting held at the Space Gallery in downtown Portland.

Nan Cumming, Portland Trails executive Director, addresses PTs annual meeting Tuesday evening.
Photo by Carey Kish

Looking ahead, much of the focus will be on the Presumpscot River corridor, acocording to John Osborn, PT trails committee chair. The river is a key passageway through the area and the hope is to create a connected greenway along much of its length.

Other tasks include: Connecting the newly acquired Brickyard Point in Falmouth with Maine Audubon's Gilsland Farm Sanctuary; more greenspace out by the old Portland city landfill; the hope of extending trails in the Fore River Sanctuary to open space associated with a new industrial park in Portland; and an extension of the tranquil Stroudwater Trail farther into Westbrook is in the works.

Whew!

The big news of the evening, following suit with all of the aforementioned trail work plans, was the change in Portland Trails mission statement.

According to a PT news release: With the construction of an additional mile of trail at Thompson’s Point last summer, the group met that 30-mile target. “It’s a great accomplishment,” said Roger Berle, Portland Trails’ board president, “but we’ve got plenty more trails to build.” Members assembled at the meeting endorsed the new mission statement which will now read, “To create and maintain a 50-mile network of multi-use trails within greater Portland.”

20 additional miles of trail... wow! You go PT!

Following the good news re Portland Trails, attention shifted to Dick Anderson, founder of the International Appalachian Trail.

Dick Anderson, IAT founder (left) and Dave Littel, former PT president and current Maine DEP commisioner (right) at PTs annual meeting.
Photo by Carey Kish

Through his delightful and informative slide program, "A Walk on The International Appalachian Trail: Katahdin to St. Anthony, Newfoundland," Anderson encouraged the audience to "think beyond borders" as the IAT has done so successfully.

"The basic idea originally," said Anderson, "was to use the mountains as a focal point to get Canada and Maine to work together on a common project."

Well, nearly 13 years after its inception, the IAT has extended all the way to the tip of the Appalachian Mountains at Belle Isle, Newfoundland. A model of international cooperation and goodwill.

But Anderson and his group aren't done yet. Owing to some surprising geology and a spirited determination, the IAT not only has plans to extend across Atlantic Canada to the tip of Nova Scotia, but to Europe and North Africa!

Stay tuned!

Needless to say it was a very entertaining and inspiring evening.

Both of these outstanding trail groups--Portland Trails and the IAT/SIA--need your support, both in terms of time and $$$. A check will do, but elbow grease may be better. Contact them to ask how you can help.