Communities
HPA Leads Effort to Repair Prescott Field Accessible Trail After Floods
Taking Action
HPA spearheaded the collaborative efforts to repair the Prescott Field Accessible Trail system after the region was impacted by severe flooding through the winter and spring.
“This project was possible because of the spirit of volunteerism within the community,” said Brent West, Executive Director of HPA. “E.L. Vining & Son donated riprap for the project, while Dana Bowman of Boomtown Rustic Camp provided earthworks and replaced the bridge with a culvert. Ryan Wilford, of Red Door Title, generously donated his time and equipment to place the riprap and grade surfaces. Additionally, students from Mainely Outdoors lent a helping hand along the way to ensure the trail was open to everyone.”
The parking area for the Accessible Trail is located at 283 Front Street. The accessible trail is part of a larger 5.1-mile trail system throughout the fields and along the Sandy River. It reroutes around steep areas and features a wide and stable trail surface made of stone aggregate. Information on the ADA trail can be found on Maine Trail Finder, with a full map available on the University of Maine at Farmington’s website.
The Original Project
The original Accessible Trails Project was funded through grants from the Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund, Maine Timberland Trust, Northern Forest Center, Libra Foundation, and Franklin Savings Bank. Renovations included trailhead road signage, trail rerouting, and increased accessibility. The project also repurposed an unused town parking area and built a 0.51-mile fully accessible trail to the banks of the Sandy River.
Explore the Trail
For more information on the Prescott Field Accessible Trail system and upcoming projects, please visit HighPeaksAlliance.org/projects/prescott-field-trail-system.
High Peaks Alliance Launches Scenic 7 Hiking Challenge
Embark on a Memorable Adventure
The Scenic 7 Hiking Challenge features seven exhilarating landscapes that will push hikers to their limits while rewarding them with breathtaking views and serene moments in nature. Participants are required to reach the summits of all four mountains and explore the three scenic trails designated as Challenge locations.
To get started, interested individuals can download the Scenic 7 Hiking Challenge booklet from HighPeaksAlliance.org and begin their journey in Maine’s High Peaks Region. Once completed, participants can return to register as Challenge Champions for a fee of $10, which includes an exclusive patch, sticker, and online member roster listing.
Save these Dates
HPA has organized four exciting hikes, on the first Saturday of each month, to kick off the Challenge:
- July 6 at Poplar Stream Falls with Rebecca Goldfine of Maine By Foot
- August 3 at Blueberry Mountain with Brent West
- September 7 at Perham Stream Birding Trail with Pete McKinley of The Wilderness Society
- October 5 at Forest Legacy with Registered Maine Guide Sam Shirley
These hikes are free and open to all ages but please leave pets at home. Participants should dress for the weather, and bring water and snacks.
“There are so many places to explore in the High Peaks but there haven’t been curated experiences. The Scenic 7 Challenge is an opportunity to commit to adventure and answer the call of the wild,” says Brent West, Executive Director of HPA. “From welcoming beginner tails to advanced backcountry hikes these trails will immerse you in the great outdoors. Do all 7 and be a Challenge Champion!”
“After walking all over the state, I consider the Scenic Seven hikes to be among the best of Maine, for their beauty, nature, peaceful trails, and dramatic scenery,” says contributor Rebecca Goldfine. Goldfine is the creator of Maine By Foot, an online comprehensive guide to exploring the myriad of remarkable trails throughout Maine. Maine By Foot offers guidance on each of the preserves, highlights swimming opportunities, and provides a list of wheelchair-friendly, all-access trails. All of the Scenic 7 trails can be found on Maine By Foot.
The High Peaks Alliance also partnered with Maine Trail Finder, an online database for trails in Maine for hiking, walking, snowshoeing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and paddling. Participants can log their hikes on Maine Trail Finder to earn the Scenic 7 badge.
Challenge Sponsors
The Scenic 7 Hiking Challenge is generously sponsored by Maine Lakes & Mountains, Franklin Printing, and Franklin Savings Bank.
“Maine’s Lakes and Mountains offers spectacular ways to hit the trail, and we are excited to partner with the High Peaks Alliance to offer our visitors and residents this new challenge to explore some of the incredible terrain that makes up our region,” states Ethan Vinson of Maine Lakes and Mountains.
Maine’s Lakes and Mountains connect residents and visitors alike to the opportunities that await them in the High Peaks Region and beyond. Whether you’re planning a hike or exploring other scenic areas, Maine’s Lakes and Mountains has the knowledge and resources to make your adventure unforgettable. By choosing them, you’re not only ensuring a memorable experience but also supporting the preservation of these recreational assets.
“We are so grateful to be sponsored by Franklin Printing. They offer exceptional service, and support our mission of access and conservation of our natural resources,” said Amanda Laliberte, Director of Engagement. “Join us in keeping this area wild and accessible by printing with Franklin Printing.”
Don’t miss this opportunity to discover these hidden gems and stunning trails in Maine’s High Peaks Region. Join the Scenic 7 Hiking Challenge and make memories that will last a lifetime!
Download the Booklet
Click the banner and begin the adventure!
Ribbon Cutting Perham Stream Bridge
This past Saturday was the perfect day for a cookout. The sun was out, a slight breeze was in the air, and people came from all over Franklin County to join us in the backwoods of Madrid.
This past June, the High Peaks Alliance saw the completion of the Perham Stream Bridge Project. The Bridge is the final product of a three-year collaborative project between the High Peaks Alliance, North Franklin Snowmobile Club, Narrow Gauge Riders ATV club, landowner Mark Beauregard, and others. On Saturday, August the 27th, the High Peaks Alliance and clubs all came together to celebrate the bridge’s completion with a cookout and ribbon cutting ceremony.
Vehicles lined up on the Reed’s Mills’ roadside. Bicyclists, ATV riders, snowmobile riders, community members, and several local officials converged on the bridge for the cookout. The event was attended by 50 to 6o people, much more than was expected. Food and beverages were donated by area businesses including the White Elephant of Strong, Maine, Edmund’s Market of Phillips, Maine, and the Coca-Cola Bottling Co. of Farmington, Maine.
Members of the press from Franklin County Newspapers came to cover the event and some of their articles have already been published. This lovely piece was written by Lauren Abbate for the Morning Sentinal and the Kennebec Journal. Valarie Tucker, a Special Correspondent for the Franklin Sun Journal wrote this article.
Among the attendees were Senator Tom Saviello of Wilton, Maine, Franklin County Commissioner Gary T. McGrane, Ralph Luce of the North Franklin Snowmobile Club, and Charlie and Kathy Gould of the Narrow Gauge Riders ATV Club. Several HPA board members were present, as well as a local Game Warden. Nancy Perlson acted as the High Peaks Alliance’s spokesperson. [Tucker 2016]
Senator Saviello, Nancy, Commissioner McGrane, and Ralph Luce all spoke in front of the assembled attendees before the ribbon cutting. Commissioner McGrane stressed how important projects like this were to Maine’s Economy. Though the effects are not always visible, non-profits contribute $10 billion to Maine’s economy and volunteers contribute 350,000 hours of their time every year. [Tucker 2016] He also made the observation that the bridge provided connectivity between sections of Franklin County that expanded the economic impact of outdoor recreation and sports. [Abbate 2016]
Senator Saviello congratulated the organization and collaboration that went into the completion of the bridge, saying “That’s why this success lays out here because you did it together.” [Abbate 2016]
Public access is a major interest of the High Peaks Alliance. The bridge is just one of many trail connectivity, and economic development issues that the High Peaks Alliance has worked to address. As Nancy Perlson put it, “For this region, as most of you probably know, backcountry recreation is kind of the backbone of the regional economy. So it’s important to have these kinds of facilities and infrastructure that let people safely and comfortably enjoy what we have to offer.” [Abbate 2016]
The old bridge had been patched together from the remains of old riveted iron beams salvaged from the railroad and was becoming unsafe. Ralph Luce commented that when pulling trail grooming equipment over the bridge, he could feel the bridge’s failing structure reacting to the weight. [Abbate 2016]
The support girders were badly rusted and the center support was washed out by Tropical Storm Irene in 2012. The new bridge doesn’t require a support in the stream and was able to utilize the existing granite cribbing to minimize impacts on the stream which is a tributary of the Orbeton, which supports native brook trout and Atlantic salmon.
The multi-use trail which accesses the Perham Stream bridge, crosses through six thousand acres of working forest, which was recently protected by a conservation easement in partnership with the Trust for Public Land. Funding from the Forest Legacy Program, the Land For Maine’s Future program and many generous donors supported the acquisition of the conservation easement. The Linkletter family continues to own the land and harvest trees. Income from tree harvests and the easement sale support their mill operation and contribute to the region’s forest products economy. The High Peaks Alliance served as a local partner for the TPL, organizing critical local public support for the project. Public support allowed the project to successfully compete for funding and established the terms of the easement which preserves the beautiful trail for multi-use public access.
The High Peaks Alliance was grateful to meet with so many members of the Franklin County community and is especially appreciative of our collaborative partners with the North Franklin Snowmobile Club and Narrow Gauge Riders. We would like to thank those that donated food to our celebration from the White Elephant, the Coca-Cola bottling Company, and Edmund’s Market. And, an especially grateful thank-you to those who provided our funding at the Franklin County TIF Committee, the Betterment Fund, and the Maine RTP Program.
Citations:
Tucker, V. (2016, August 28). Bridge spanning Perham Stream now open.Franklin Sun Journal. Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://www.sunjournal.com/news/franklin/2016/08/28/bridge-spanning-perham-stream-now-open/1983987
Abbate, L. (2016, August 27). Perham Stream Bridge completion touted as successful collaboration. Morning Sentinal. Retrieved August 29, 2016, from http://www.centralmaine.com/2016/08/27/perham-stream-bridge-completion-touted-as-successful-collaboration/
Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsmen Association’s Outdoor Sporting Heritage Day
Rangeley Region Guides and Sportsmen Association threw its annual Outdoor Sporting Heritage Day on August 9th. This year’s theme was Dogs, and I could not have been happier!
I, Dylan Cookson, AmeriCorps member, and MCC Environmental Steward am a big fan of Dogs! And there were eager, friendly, four-legged friends everywhere.
There were vendors selling dog collars and scarves, dog treats, and dog artwork. Towards the end of the day, many of the visiting dog owners brought their dogs together for a splash competition in the clubhouse pond.
Children and teens would throw objects for dogs to fetch into the pond. The object was to get the dog to make the largest splash they could.
I attended the event with board members, Kirby and Elaine Holcombe. We had many people stop by the booth to purchase raffle tickets, and ask about our projects. We also had a visit from member Nancy Perlson and her handsome Australian Shepherd Puppy, Scout. That’s him on the right. Isn’t he precious!
Carrabassett Valley Summer Fest
Just off the Sugarloaf Regional Airport in Carrabassett Valley, Maine is KC’s Creativity Center. This business provides classes on creative pursuits to its patrons. It also hosted the Carrabassett Valley Summer Fest.
AmeriCorps member, Dylan Cookson, set up and ran a booth from 12 to 6 pm. The day was punctuated by rain which forced many of the patrons to leave and many of us to shelter under our pop-up tents.
The Festival had live entertainment in the form of steel drums and country music. Apart from the rain, it was a good day with many people stopping to ask about the High Peaks Alliance and our projects.
The High Peaks Alliance at the Farmington Summer Fest
The Farmington Downtown Association threw the 2016 Farmington Summer Fest on Friday, and Saturday, July 22nd, and 23rd. On Saturday the 23rd, Broadway was closed off to automobiles and the street was filled with booths from local vendors and non-profits.
For the second time in the month of July, the High Peaks Alliance set up its booth and presented its mission to visitors, walking the streets of a High Peaks community.
This time, AmeriCorps member and Maine Conservation Corps Environmental Steward, Dylan Cookson was joined by Amie Daniels from the Maine Conservation Corps, and High Peaks Alliance Treasurer, Scott Landry.
Farmington is a college town and there were a lot of young people on the streets. There were yoga demonstrations, cheap pizza, and people dancing in human-sized Pikachu costumes.
We were once again selling raffle tickets, our HPA hats, and t-shirts, and handing out brochures for membership and the Fly Rod Crosby Trail.
We had a fantastic time speaking to the people of Farmington and many of them came with eager questions and anecdotes about the High Peaks Area. we were lucky to meet a friend of Trail Master Bud Godsoe, who plays with Bud in the Sandy River Ramblers.
It seemed like Scott knew everyone in town. And often could be seen walking the streets with his camera, capturing the hustle and bustle of the celebrating town.
High Peaks Alliance at Kingfield Festival Days
On the weekend of July 14th – 17th, Kingfield celebrated its Bicentennial Year and the High Peaks Alliance was there to share the experience.
On Saturday, the 16th, Depot Street was lined with booths. Our own booth was set up and manned by AmeriCorps member and Maine Conservation Corps Environmental Steward, Dylan Cookson, and Trail Master, Bud Godsoe.
The road had been blocked off and made accessible to foot traffic only. Local businesses and non-profits sold sugary snacks and grilled meat. Visitors were walking and socializing all over the town.
We admit we were not as popular as the booth that sold Root Beer Floats. The High Peaks Alliance sold raffle tickets, and hats, and distributed brochures on membership and the Fly Rod Crosby Trail. Those who visited our booth had already walked the streets sampling the local fare. They came with full bellies, and questions about the High Peaks Alliance, the Fly Rod Crosby Trail, and other local outdoor recreation opportunities.
We were fortunate to have many visitors and a great view of the parade. We were even more fortunate to have been assigned a place next to the booth selling ice cream sandwiches. They were some of the most appealing snacks on the street that day and were being sold by a group of industrious local children, saving up for college.
We also earned the support of several Union Soldiers who happened along our booth.
Completion of the Perham Stream Bridge
ATV riders heading North on ITS 89 through Madrid Township along the Aaron Holbrook Memorial Trail are sure to notice some changes when they approach the Perham Stream Bridge. This summer a collaborative project between the North Franklin Snowmobile Club and the High Peaks Alliance has reached completion.
The 60-foot section of the bridge crossing the Perham Stream has been completely replaced with a modern single-span girder bridge. The old bridge had been patched together from the remains of old salvaged railroad riveted iron beams and was becoming unsafe. The support girders were badly rusted and the center support was washed out by Hurricane Irene.
In 2013 the High Peaks Alliance and the North Franklin Snowmobile Club secured a TIF grant for the engineering and design of the new Perham Stream Bridge. Since then, the High Peaks Alliance has continued working with the North Franklin Snowmobile Club to secure funding and coordinate the construction of the bridge. Making use of TIF and Recreational Trail Plan grants construction of the new bridge started mid-June and was completed on Friday, June 24th.
We would like to thank Brian Luce of N.F. Luce Inc, the North Franklin Snowmobile Club, the Franklin County TIF Committee, the Recreational Trails Program, and the Narrow Gauge Riders ATV Club who generously committed some of their own TIF funding for the project.