Newport to Dover-Foxcroft trail to open in June

DOVER-FOXCROFT – Twelve years of sheer determination and hard work by the Central Maine Trails Coalition will be recognized next month during a grand opening celebration of the 30-mile recreational trail connecting Newport to Dover-Foxcroft.

Even though there were many bumps in the road when fund-raising began 12 years ago, coalition members never gave up their quest to bring the popular corridor under state ownership. In December 2003, the state announced it had closed on the $1.25 million purchase of the multiuse recreational trail.

Department of Conservation officials and coalition members will announce the name of the four-season trail and will hold an official opening ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 12, at the Corinna bridge. The trail name was selected from entries submitted by elementary school pupils in Newport, Corinna, Dexter and Dover-Foxcroft. Pupils whose entries were among the top three considered will receive prizes from L.L. Bean.

“Great” is how Bill Robinson of Dover-Foxcroft, coalition secretary-treasurer, said he felt this week about the accomplishment. Robinson and others who worked for its purchase view the trail as another avenue for tourism.

The coalition official said he believes that it will draw recreationists from both in and out of state, that it will prompt the creation of new recreation-related businesses along the corridor, and that its users will bring an infusion of cash to existing businesses.

“I’m excited about the economic impact it will have,” Robinson said.

State officials also are pleased that the trail will be protected for public use.

“It’s a wonderful thing for these communities that literally have the resource in their back yard,” Ralph Knoll, deputy director of the Department of Conservation’s Bureau of Parks and Lands, said. He also praised the partnership of the coalition.

The actual cost of the project, including appraisal and associated costs, was $1.35 million. Of that amount, the coalition agreed to raise nearly $70,000 for the project and is close to completing its commitment, according to Robinson.

The coalition also will play a role in the maintenance of the trail, Robinson said. Land for Maine’s Future has earmarked $61,000 for maintenance projects along the corridor, which include the installation of gates to control traffic at major road crossings to prohibit cars and trucks from entering, decking for bridges and surface improvements, he said.

Taking the trail to the next step will have its challenges but “we’re looking forward to it,” Robinson said.