Tell us what you think about trails in Skowhegan!
TAKE THE SURVEYTrail Planning Initiative
Main Street Skowhegan has commissioned a trail master plan for Skowhegan, thanks to funding from the Maine Community Foundation. The plan will serve as a roadmap for new construction and current trail maintenance, helping to achieve our goal of an estimated 50 miles of multi-use trails accessible via Skowhegan’s commercial district. Not only will the plan offer maps, next steps, and estimated costs, it will also serve as a tool for raising funds to cover trail maintenance and development costs.
Master planning work began this winter with multiple stakeholder meetings with representatives from Somerset Woods Trustees, Skowhegan’s ATV and Snowmobile Clubs, Lake George Regional Park, Eaton Mountain, MSAD54, the Skowhegan Community Center, and others. Work continues this spring with site walks and mapping and community engagement meetings.
If you’re interested in telling us what you want to see for Skowhegan’s trail network, save the date for these public gatherings:
Trails, Trivia, and Beer
Date/time: June 7, 5-7 p.m.
Location: Riverfront Greenspace located behind 151 Water Street
Give us your thoughts about trail development in Skowhegan
Transportation & Trails Open House
Date/time: July 31, 4:30 – 7 p.m. – come anytime in this window
Location: The SPACE on the River, 181 Water St.
Check out the trail master plan and learn more about Skowhegan’s Village Partnership Initiative that’s also underway!
Why Trails?
Developing more outdoor recreation infrastructure in Skowhegan is a strategy for community revitalization, economic growth, and improved health and wellness for our residents.
A growing body of research shows that health benefits of regular outdoor activity include weight loss, lower blood pressure, reduced arthritis pain, and lowered risk of diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease.
People who engage in outdoor physical activity also report greater feelings of enjoyment, energy, vitality, restoration, and self-esteem, while access to green space in low-income neighborhoods has proven promising in reducing health inequalities, increasing longevity, and improving health behaviors. For children, unstructured outdoor time reduces stress and symptoms of attention disorders.
By providing accessible outdoor recreation opportunities in Skowhegan, we will help improve quality of life and make our town and region a safer, healthier, and better place to live.