Author: Larry Glantz

The Eastern Trail segment through the Scarborough Marsh will be closed on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 from 8:00 am – 2:00 pm for repair work. 

No detour option will be available given the limitations of the area. The closure will affect the area between the gate south of the Black Point Road kiosk and the bridge near the Pine Point kiosk. We apologize for the inconvenience this causes.

During this trail closure, the Town of Scarborough will add stone dust to the area that sustained damage during the winter storms and flatten the area to smooth out the ruts and loose gravel. Please respect the trail closure and stay clear of the work area. Parents are advised to accompany children while this trail closure is in effect.

Use caution, slow speeds, and care for other trail users at all times.

We need your help, trail users! Are you a photographer? Have great photos?

We are looking for photos of the Eastern Trail and supporters enjoying the trail to publish on our website, social media, and in other materials.

For more information or to submit your images, please contact communications@easterntrail.org.

We are happy to announce the creation of a new web page on this site to provide updates on known conditions along the Eastern Trail.

This will include updates on temporary trail closures and detours, changes in surface conditions and other issues following storms or other events, and other situations that trail users should be aware of.

Our small team relies on trail users to share their trail observations and report problems by filling out this form. Trail conditions are always subject to change, be alert and use caution while on the trail.

On July 15, the Maine Department of Transportation (MDOT) launched its public project on the two end segments (2.7 miles of new trail) of the Eastern Trail’s Blaze the Trail South campaign.

From now until August 7, the public will be able to learn more and comment on this process. Go here to get more information, which will include an asynchronous virtual meeting, a storymap, and other information to help you learn more about the project and to submit input prior to construction in late 2025/early 2026.

MaineDOT wants to hear from you. Click here to submit your comments formally.

Stay tuned on our Facebook Page and on this website for updates about this project.

The Eastern Trail and Holy Donut are excited to host a morning addition of our trail ride series. Join us in Scarborough for a relaxing morning ride, donuts, and coffee!

The ride will head over to the ET on Lincoln Ave. then Washington Ave. and then the connector road. Once we have everyone on the trail we will ride north and cross Black Pt. Road and continue on Eastern Rd. (which has very little traffic) to the often overlooked and unknown section of off road trail that brings us to the Nonesuch River. This will give riders a first hand look at what we call The Gap. This is where the first of two new bridges will be built to eventually connect the trail off road from Scarborough through to South Portland. This section of off road trail is a little windy and has some fun little climbs. If those climbs are a challenge for you, have no fear, we won’t leave you behind. We will backtrack and work our way to the Scarborough Marsh bridge and the Pine Point Rd. parking lot before looping back north to Holy Donut for some calorie replacement and caffeine consumption if you like.

This is a free event however, donations to the Eastern Trail are most appreciated and can be submitted during the checkout process.

8:00 AM – Meet at Holy Donut (398 US-1, Scarborough, ME 04074)

8:00 AM-10:00 AM: Bike the Eastern Trail with ET staff and Holy Donut volunteers

10:00-11:00 AM: Coffee, Donuts and, Relaxation at Holy Donut!

GO HERE TO REGISTER

Join the Eastern Trail Alliance for its August 2024 full moon walk in the Scarborough Marsh. This month’s full moon will be a Sturgeon Moon!

The August Moon Walk will be held Monday, August 19th 7:45 – 9:15 pm. The walk leaves from the Eastern Trail’s Pine Point parking area. Go here to Register (registration required).

The walk is limited to 25 people and is first come first serve.

**NOTE: Please be aware that the trail through the Scarborough Marsh is uneven in a few spots due to storm damage sustained this winter. We always encourage proper footwear on the trail and even more so at this time. Please also bring a flashlight. Your guide will alert you to the areas of trail that require your caution.

Pets and flashlights are not allowed for this event so as to ensure guests are able to best appreciate the marsh and full moon. Please email info@easterntrail.org with any questions you may have.

Visit our EVENTS page for information on other events.

The Eastern Trail Alliance is recruiting new board members to join our board this year. If you are looking for a way to make a difference in southern Maine and have a passion for trails or active transportation, we’d like to hear from you!

Click here to access the board member application form. Please then complete it by the May 13, 2024 for full consideration. In particular, skills and experience sought include accounting/audit, fundraising, and previous board service. Given our active trail-building campaigns south of Kennebunk, residents of southern York County are encouraged to apply.

Led by the planning/engineering firm VHB, the Eastern Trail Alliance and Eastern Trail Management District in collaboration with the Southern Maine Planning and Development Commission (SMPDC), MaineDOT and the municipalities of Kittery, Eliot, York, South Berwick, and North Berwick are proud to release the Eastern Trail Connectivity Feasibility Study Story Map.

This story map will allow you to see information about the initial feasibility study currently underway in the Berwicks to the Border Project, considering locations for future segments of the Eastern Trail between North Berwick and Memorial Bridge in Kittery. The different types of potential route alternatives may include shared-use paths along utility corridors, shared-use paths alongside a public road, boardwalk segments over wetlands and small streams, striped bike lanes or wide shoulders on roadways, and travel lanes shared by all users on rural roads with low traffic volumes and/or speeds. The detailed information is tied to geographic information which gives the public a view of both where and how these preliminary route alternatives may be used.

This 18-month study began in late 2023 and is expected to finish in early 2025. The ultimate goal is to recommend a route for a continuous off-road trail from North Berwick to Kittery. From there, the Eastern Trail Alliance, SMPDC, and individual municipalities will seek additional funding through grants and other sources to implement the priority recommendations from the study.

To learn more, please go here to visit the Story Map.

Additionally, an Eastern Trail Connectivity Study Community Workshop will be held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm at Eliot Town Hall, 1333 State Road, Eliot, ME or via this Zoom link.