Without parking close by, places are unlikely to see much use, whether it’s a retail establishment or a natural site. It’s an issue that crops up for just about any place that wants more visitors, from downtown businesses to the Eastern Trail that cuts through the county. Having vehicles parked alongside the road is a hazard in many areas, while in other spots it’s not an option or the spaces are too few.
In Sanford, however, the parking problem has been solved for at least one community asset: the Depot Trail Head. Thanks to a grant and generous donations of time, work, money and goods from area residents, access has been greatly improved to this trail, which means it is set to become a popular attraction.
The Sanford Trail Committee recently unveiled a gravel parking area at the intersection of Pleasant Street and Railroad Avenue, complete with surrounding landscaping, and new railings for the trail itself. It’s a beautiful transformation for this lot, which was previously overgrown with brush and littered with potholes. The parking area will make it much easier for people to offload four-wheelers, snowmobiles and dirtbikes to use on the trail, which is the only trail in the local trail system that allows motorized vehicles. It will also ensure that those trailers are kept off the road so passing motorists will not have to contend with them.
We’d like to congratulate the Sanford Trail Committee, especially grant writer Lee Burnett, for their work in securing the money and in-kind donations to make this project happen. Burnett was successful in winning grants to improve the Depot Trail Head from the trails program of the state Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, the William Oscar Emery Trust and Project Canopy, with the city providing in-kind services. In addition, employees of H.A. Stone worked on the fencing that lines the trail and Springvale Nurseries supplied many of the plants to beautify the area. The design for the beautiful landscaping, which takes up about a third of the lot, was done by committee member Hazen Carpenter and will go a long way toward attracting people to use this trail.
And this is just the beginning. The railroad bed trail runs to Shaw’s Ridge in one direction, and to the Lebanon town line in another, according to Carpenter; combined with the city trails and the Kiwanis Mousam Way Trails, that amounts to nearly 20 miles worth of trails in the city, which is a significant asset of which residents can be proud.
The trail committee has asked the Maine National Guard’s engineering unit to make improvements to the part of the trail that runs from Hanson’s Ridge to Lebanon, such as design, erosion control and other improvements, and the town has received permission from landowner Richard Shaw to continue a non-motorized trail through his property.
Trails are an important part of what makes a community attractive, as they help people in cities to connect with nature, get some exercise or recreation, and simply enjoy the outdoors. Kudos to the committee and all of those who took part in making the improvements to this trail ”“ and here’s to many more.
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Today’s editorial was written by Managing Editor Kristen Schulze Muszynski on behalf of the Journal Tribune Editorial Board. Questions? Comments? Contact Kristen by calling 282-1535, ext. 322, or via email at kristenm@journaltribune.com.
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