The latest news about Maine lakes and ponds.

Trail Blazing Begins in New Recreation Area

September 01, 2009 - WATERVILLE -- By the time the snow flies, cross-country skiers and hikers should be able to take to the trails at Quarry Road Recreation Area off North Street.

Trees are being cleared for the 4.5-kilometer trail that will run parallel to Messalonskee Stream, according to City Manager Michael Roy.

"In a week or two, once the trees are gone, a contractor will come in and remove the stumps and grade the area, making it a smooth 14-foot-wide trail," Roy said.

The trail is being blazed in a planned four-season recreation area that eventually will accommodate cross-country and downhill skiers, runners, hikers, snowboarders and ice skaters.

The recreation area is on about 130 acres the city bought from Colby College last year for $125,000. The property stretches from Quarry Road to Upper Main Street and once was the site of an alpine ski slope operated by Colby.

Waterville dentist and skier John Koons is the driving force behind the project, working countless hours researching other recreation sites to plan the most appropriate features for the Waterville land and encouraging people to donate to the cause.

"It's starting to take shape, and I've been talking to people all over," Koons said last week. "It's been a wonderful learning experience. We don't need to re-invent the wheel here. A lot of wonderful people have been very, very helpful."

He said the goal is to have the trail along the Messalonskee Stream ready for use in several weeks.

"For the winter season, it should be operational," he said.

Funding for the recreation project includes a $30,000 grant from the state Department of Conservation; two anonymous donations of $50,000 and $40,000; and nearly $7,500 from a number of smaller donations, Roy said.

He said Koons has been tireless in his dedication to the project.

"Without John's leadership and vision on this, we would not be anywhere close to where we are today," Roy said. He enlisted people, he brought a lot of money through the door."

Jason Tyler is the contractor cutting the trees, at a cost of $9,500, and Applied Forestry of Skowhegan has been hired to build the trail at a cost of $42,300, Roy said.

The City Council voted to approve those expenditures.

"We hope that it will lead to a very well-developed trail destination – a place where people can come and ski or bike or hike," Roy said. "It is a great project."

When Koons and city officials toured the recreation area last year, they estimated the whole project could cost $1 million to $3 million.

The second phase would include buying equipment and developing a competition trail as well as an outdoor ice rink, lodge and areas for summer activities, including baseball.

Water activities on the Messalonskee Stream would include canoeing and kayaking. Lighting for trails and snow-making also are in the plans.

Officials plan to connect the trails on the site to the Messalonskee trail system, which stretches into Fairfield.

By AMY CALDER, Morning Sentinel August 31, 2009


Lakes:
Regions: Belgrade


Print this story

Email this story

return to Lake News