Newport buys ATV to patrol trails State, federal grants enable monitoring of snowmobilers, bicyclers, hikers

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NEWPORT – A woodpecker blasting away at a dead tree barely noticed the all-terrain vehicle slowly passing by Saturday morning on the recreation trail from Newport to Greenville.

The ATV was quieter than most, yet fully decked out in red and blue lights, a siren, radio and decals stating “Newport Police.”

The 660 cc Yamaha Rhino is the latest addition to Newport’s patrol vehicles, an ATV that can help monitor the miles of trails in Newport while also being available to the town’s rescue service for emergencies.

But the trails were empty Saturday, and it was nature that was getting the once-over from Cpl. Alan Graves, who patrols the Newport end of the trail to the Corinna line. A round trip takes about an hour and provides impressive views of woods, streams and Sebasticook Lake.

In a swampy area, a blue heron lifted off, flapping its great wings. As the trail crossed a stream emptying into Sebasticook Lake, a dog sitting with two duck hunters in a blind kept a close eye on the ATV.

Moving slowly along the trail, Graves took it all in.

“I can’t believe I get paid for this,” Graves said.

As the town’s ATV trail educator, Graves is responsible for weekend patrols of the Newport Four Seasons Adventure Trail, a multiuse trail that in good weather can be followed from Newport’s Route 7 all the way to Greenville. The abandoned rail bed was established as a recreational trail in 2004 and has grown in popularity ever since.

“One day I spoke to 55 different people,” Graves said. “It is amazing how many are using this trail.” The trail is used by snowmobilers in the winter, and by ATV riders, bicyclists, equestrians and pedestrians the rest of the year.

But along with increased usage often come problems, and town officials were concerned about the safety and protection of those using the trail.

Using grants from the Maine Department of Conservation, the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Newport police were able to purchase a $10,000 ATV, to buy a mobile command center-trailer to store it in, and to fund Graves’ patrol salary.

Graves works in conjunction with Maine game wardens, who also often patrol the trail. Since he began patrolling last summer, Graves said, he has not seen a single problem.

“The attitude of those using the trail has been wonderful,” he said. “They are really happy to see me.”

Gary Holmes of Waldoboro, on the trail Saturday with two friends from Nobleboro and Winslow, was riding a brand-new ATV when his party was stopped by Graves. Their registrations and identifications were quickly checked, and then Graves answered questions and talked with the riders about safety.

The men said they were surprised to see a police officer on the trail but all said they were pleased such a patrol was in place.

“This is a fabulous trail,” Holmes said. “We come here all the time. I often come with my family, with my 5-year-old daughter.”

Many people who don’t use the trail may assume it is a little wild out there, with visions of ATVs tearing up the trail, drivers consuming alcohol as they ride and damaging the sensitive watershed around the lake.

Nothing could be further from the truth, Graves said.

“It’s not the Wild West out here. It’s families and responsible riders enjoying the outdoors. There are dozens of families out here on weekends. Dads, children, moms. It has become a wonderful family hobby,” he said. “There, of course, will always be some yahoos that will speed or drink and drive, but by and large what I see are families and groups. You often see them with a picnic cooler on the back, headed out to make a day of it.”

Graves said he hasn’t made a single drunken driving arrest on the trail all summer. In fact, he has barely written a summons.

“What this is really about is education, not enforcement,” he explained. “Our mission is to educate our citizens on the proper use of this trail and to facilitate a safe place for outdoor recreation.”

Those ATV and snowmobile enthusiasts are not the only ones who benefit, Graves said. Local merchants often see the riders for lunch, or when they buy gas and other supplies.

Bears One Stop, a convenience store located next to the trailhead, is often filled with hungry riders. “It’s been a big boon to them,” Graves said.

On this quiet Saturday, only a handful of riders were on the trail, a fact that probably could be attributed to it being hunting season, Graves said. “People that ride also tend to hunt,” he said.

With more time for enjoying the scenery Saturday, Graves was able to clear some debris off the trail, stop and talk a little while with those he passed, and reflect on where the program could go in the future.

“I’d like to see us expand into Corinna,” Graves said. “We could easily obtain a regional agreement with Penobscot County Sheriff’s Department.” Graves said he also would like to see a grant to purchase a litter for rescue purposes.

Since Newport completely surrounds 5,000-acre Sebasticook Lake, Graves would like to see a snowmobile added to the equipment collection to provide winter patrols of seasonal camps and homes along the lake.

“That is a service I am sure our residents would like to see,” he said.