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By RACHEL LOVEJOY, Columnist

Last weekend, I took a walk along the portion of the Eastern Trail that connects Biddeford with Kennebunk. Wide, flat and very well maintained, the trail moves in a pretty straight line, its end disappearing into infinity in the distance, and it offers quite a few spiritually restful stops along the way. Of course, I never visit such places without my trusty camera in hand, and this walk was no different.

I started out fairly early and met few others on the way. As the morning wore on, however, the trail became quite populated with other walkers, cyclists, runners and dogs. Small children zoomed by on their tiny bicycles, and one little girl had to stop at one point so her mother could reattach the chain that had fallen off its gears. Off she went again, her handlebar streamers flying out straight on either side of her.

All types of song birds called from the dense woods on either side, and the farther in I got, the more varied they got. Warblers warbled, thrushes regaled me with their flute-like melody, and I heard, too, the insistent song of the ovenbird greeting me as I passed. The air was warm, but there was relief to be had every few feet as the branches of the taller trees offered shade from the hot sun. And there was no end to the visual pleasure of all the vegetation in the form of ferns, mallow, buttercups and bramble blossoms along the way.

About a half-mile in from the trail head behind Southern Maine Medical Center’s rear parking lot, I came upon a stream complete with a beaver dam built high against its outlet. Its weathered branches formed an intricately woven pattern cleverly and ingeniously stacked against the water’s flow, and most of the wood these industrious creatures used seemed to be of the same variety with all pieces appearing from where I stood to measure roughly five to 10 feet in length. They were placed is such a way as to completely impact the flow both above and below the water line, and I marveled at the instinctive ability that makes such a structure possible.

Other areas of water marked that section of the trail on either side, with one particularly interesting bog punctuated every few feet by a single, dead tree trunk standing placidly among the reeds and rushes. A stream flowed around and between the weather sentinels, making for an eerily beautiful and photoworthy sight – adding to the pleasure of once again being among sun-dappled trees, which made the day and the experience complete for me. I left later feeling renewed and hopeful.

All told, I completed close to three miles, turning back about a half-mile beyond the Arundel town line marker. And despite the fact that one sees the same things going back on the return trip, one never tires of such beauty as can only be found along such unspoiled well-cared-for walking paths. [Article continues……]

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The Eastern Trail Management District (ETMD) is a group of representatives from each Eastern Trail town that manages the construction and upkeep of the trail. Below is ETMD’s January 2009 newsletter:

The Eastern Trail Management District (ETMD) is a group of representatives from each Eastern Trail town that manages the construction and upkeep of the trail. Below is ETMD’s January 2011 newsletter:

Published: Thursday, May 3, 2012 12:06 PM EDT

While a rural walking trail can seem inviting on a beautiful day, there’s no denying that there is some risk involved in taking the “road less traveled.” Part of what gives trails their charm is the fact that they are removed from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and from the view of the general public. That means trails offer some privacy, and can therefore be a draw for those interested in illegal activities. It also means that if you find yourself in peril on a trail, there are fewer passersby to notice your distress.

Sanford resident Jennifer Copper found this out the hard way when a nice walk through the woods with her young twins turned into a painful ordeal after she slipped and broke her ankle.

Copper got lucky, however, since another trail walker happened by and was able to come to the rescue. Mike Laurendeau deserves kudos for carrying Copper out of the woods and lending her his cell phone so she could get in touch with family.

Those using the Eastern Trail in Biddeford, who might not be lucky enough to have someone like Laurendeau cross their path when they need help, can now take comfort in knowing that the police department is stepping in. Thanks to a recent grant, Biddeford Police have dedicated a bicycle patrol to the stretch of the Eastern Trail that goes through the city – making sure it doesn’t become a haven for hooligans and assuring trail users that the area is monitored so they won’t be without help for too long if something unfortunate should occur.

Biddeford has eight bicycle patrol officers who take turns patrolling the trail several times each day. So far, they say they’ve encountered no problems, but people “feel more safe” just knowing they’re out there. And that’s the key. If people feel comfortable enough to use the trail, it’ll become more popular; and if those with criminal intentions know that it’s monitored, the trails won’t become unsafe for families and singles who want to recreate there.

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