Maine’s trails, and the volunteers who maintain them, need help

John Raymond, ATV Maine and Northern Timber Cruisers president

Maine has some of the most impressive trails in the nation for hiking, biking, snowmobiling, AVTing and other uses. The potential for the future is boundless. But to achieve that future, we need to think differently about our trails than we have in the past.  

We need to recognize that trails do not maintain themselves. Like other forms of infrastructure, they need investments. But Maine is not investing in our trails, even as they face disrepair from storm damage and record levels of use.

That’s why Maine lawmakers should send the Maine Trails Bond (LD 1156) to the November ballot. If approved by voters, the $30 million bond would address urgent needs on our trails and help realize big ideas that could greatly benefit rural communities. 

Having spent decades working on trail projects in the Katahdin region, I’ve learned a few things about trail clubs, trail users and the costs and challenges of trail projects. 

Snowmobile and ATV clubs play a critical role mobilizing volunteers and raising scarce resources to clear and groom trails, build bridges, publish trail maps and host events that are great fun and great for local businesses. 

Snowmobiling and ATVs contribute well over $1.3 billion to Maine’s economy annually. Much of this economic activity depends on volunteer-run clubs, which is not sustainable. 

Many older volunteers are aging out and costs are increasing to build and maintain trails, and for insurance on club buildings. It doesn’t make sense to assume that volunteers can design, maintain, and build trail infrastructure that will meet the demands of a growing number of users.

Since the pandemic, trail use of all kinds has increased. Although ATVs and snowmobiles are my passion, I’m proud to have owned and operated the first mountain bike shop in the Katahdin region in the early 1980s, and I’m excited to see the huge increase in hiking and biking in our area and statewide. 

The possibilities for additional growth are tremendous. In our region, we’ve secured off-road trail access from Millinocket to Mattawamkeag to Fort Kent to Cutler — providing one of the most exciting ATV trail experiences in the entire eastern United States. Katahdin Area Trails is developing a plan for more than 100 miles of trails for non-motorized use between Mount Chase and Millinocket. Maine’s International Trail System for snowmobiling is unrivaled. 

Big ideas for future trails are emerging in every part of Maine. I’m particularly excited about the possibility of an All Trails Park in the Katahdin region with trails for ATVs, snowmobiles, cross-country skiing and mountain biking, with campsites and an amphitheater making it a four-season destination. New Hampshire has a trail users’ mecca like this at Jericho State Park Trails, and Maine could, too. But we need to stop taking our trails, and the volunteers and clubs that maintain them, for granted. 

This is where the proposal for a $30 million Maine Trails Bond comes in. More than 500 organizations, businesses and towns across Maine have endorsed what would be a first-ever trails bond.    

Although I’m not a big fan of bonds, I do support this proposal to provide $7.5 million per year for four years in grants for all types of motorized and non-motorized trail projects. Some trails need urgent attention due to recent storms, and the exciting new ideas will require planning and investment if we are to become the national leader in trail experiences that I know Maine can be. 

Longer term, Maine needs an ongoing source of funding for trails and for conservation easements on private lands to ensure access to key trail corridors. The details for ongoing funding can be worked out in future years, but this year I hope lawmakers will pass the Maine Trails Bond so that it appears on the November ballot. That would give the people of Maine an opportunity to decide whether to invest in trails, and I bet they will.