The Alliance recently played a pivotal role in securing a critical trail easement that ensures long-term access for the North Franklin Snowmobile and Narrow Gauge Riders ATV Clubs in Madrid. This small but vital stretch of trail had previously been at risk, as it crossed land not owned by the club or conserved.

Concerns about access to this section first arose more than a decade ago at the Perham Stream crossing, where the bridge was undermined during a hurricane rain event. Eleven years ago, the Alliance worked with the North Franklin Snowmobile Club and the landowner to replace the bridge, an effort that cost $150,000. At that time, the landowner agreed only to a ten-year easement, which expired in 2024. When the property was sold, the new owner considered selling it again, putting the trail’s access at risk. That uncertainty, however, created a unique opportunity to permanently conserve this essential trail corridor and the bridge itself.

The newly protected segment serves as a linchpin connector between the communities of Phillips and Rangeley, forming a central piece of the region’s popular Randy Bunnell Trail. Without guaranteed access to this section, the established route could have faced disruptions for riders and groomers. This section of the trail was among those recovered and repaired following the 2023 storm damage, which also included the replacement of the Perham Stream bridge. 

“This easement represents exactly the kind of collaborative project our organization was created to support,” said Brent West, Executive Director of the Alliance. “By bringing together the landowner, local club, and partners, we were able to preserve a key link in Franklin County’s trail system for future generations.”

West noted that situations like this are becoming more common across Maine. “The majority of our state’s extensive trail network exists on private land,” he said. “We’re fortunate to have a strong culture of access supported by Maine’s Landowner Liability Law, which protects property owners who allow recreational use. Still, as ownership changes and parcels are divided or sold, we’re seeing more instances where even small pieces of land can make or break major trail connections.”

Deals like this, he added, take a willing landowner, trust, negotiation, surveys, fundraising, and sometimes a little luck. “Our ability to protect trails like this depends entirely on the generosity of donors who support our work,” West said. “This small easement has an outsized impact and serves as an example of how strategic conservation can strengthen the state’s entire trail system.”

The easement’s successful completion would not have been possible without the dedication and leadership of Bowman, whose persistence brought all partners together.