 October 2023
Andy Cutko joined others in Nevada this September for the annual National Association of State Park Directors Conference.
I recently had the privilege of sharing challenges, opportunities, and successes with colleagues from across the country at the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD) conference. I was inspired by the countless examples of creativity and dedication among our counterparts, as we’ve all experienced record levels of public use and nature’s escalating conditions (wildfires in the west, hurricanes in the east). Several speakers, including academic researchers, highlighted the mountain of evidence that the outdoors is vital to our nation’s physical, mental, and emotional health. I was also honored to be voted onto the Board of NASPD, representing the northeastern states.
The conference also provided a chance to reflect on our own park management team, which administered our annual Maine State Parks Ranger Academy in September. Our Ranger Academy curriculum, including two-week modules on Operations and Maintenance, Interpretation, and Compliance, stands out among our peers. The Academy modules provide training in everything from rule enforcement to first aid to outboard engine repair, and countless other topics in between. Moreover, these sessions offer an excellent way to promote teamwork, build comradery, and engender competence and confidence in our next generation of state park leaders.
Graduates of the 2023 State Park Operations and Maintenance Ranger Academy.
I appreciate the many hours of preparation and planning that many of our park managers and other staff have contributed to Ranger Academies in recent years. I’m so proud to represent Maine’s successes here in Maine and across the country!
~ Andy Cutko, Director, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
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Lana LaPlant-Ellis recently retired from her position as Senior Planner in the Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) Division of the Bureau after serving many years in the Division.
She dealt with issues ranging from the development of the Madison Branch Rail Trail, to landowner relations, grants, and trail planning for both the ATV and Snowmobile programs. Lana was responsible for handling contracts for trail maintenance and, recently, trestle rehabilitation projects on the Bangor & Aroostook and the Madison Branch Rail Trails.
Lana also tracked legislation that pertained to the ORV Division and managed Railroad crossing licenses for both ATVs and Snowmobiles with Canadian Pacific, CSX Transportation, and the St. Lawrence & Atlantic, as well as with the Maine Department of Transportation. Lana also managed the Disaster Relief and Capital Equipment Grants for the Snowmobile Program.
We thank Lana for her exemplary service and wish her well in her retirement years.
~ Ron Hunt, Director of Operations, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
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Maine Appalachian Trail Club volunteers at the Cranberry Stream Campsite project.
Over the course of 4 separate volunteer days, 40 MATC volunteers – including 12 Colby College students who hauled 3,500 lbs. of lumber and tools – replaced an aging privy at the Cranberry Stream Campsite. Volunteers gave over 600 hours of time to the project that created a new, above-ground moldering privy (outhouse) that will be better able to handle increased use while also meeting federal accessibility standards. In addition to serving long-distance Appalachian Trail (AT) hikers, the greatly improved privy here serves backpackers and hikers spending a day or days exploring the renowned trails at the Bigelow Preserve Public Land.
The MATC, founded in 1935, is a volunteer, nonprofit organization focused on the construction, maintenance, and protection of the vast bulk of the AT in Maine. They are responsible for over 267 miles of the AT as well as 60 miles of side trails. MATC and the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands partner on trail and campsite management across numerous iconic Bureau properties, including Grafton Notch State Park/Mahoosuc Public Land, Four Ponds Public Land, the Bigelow Preserve, and Nahmakanta Public Land (just to name a few). Recreational experiences at these wonderful places would not be the same without the efforts of MATC.
Maintaining hundreds of miles of trail and a corresponding network of campsites and lean-tos requires a huge volunteer effort. To learn how you can support this mission, navigate to www.matc.org and explore membership, support, and volunteer opportunities.
~ Rex Turner, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
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Enock Glidden (on right) speaking at the grand opening of the Goat Hill Accessible Trail. All photos courtesy of Three Rivers Land Trust.
The Goat Hill Trail in Acton is a wonderful accessible five-foot wide trail recently completed by the Three Rivers Land Trust in partnership with the Town of Acton. It received funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) and Recreational Trails Program (RTP). From start to finish, the project was a seven-year journey, but worth every day it took for those who can enjoy the trail now and the generations to come.
The first step in any Land and Water Conservation Fund project is a site inspection to gauge the eligibility of the site and the viability of the project. In the summer of 2016, Bureau staff met with two members of the Three Rivers Land Trust to review their proposal. The plan was to acquire a little over 25 acres of old apple orchard and Goat Hill, the adjacent hilltop, to save it from near-certain development and instead create a public park for future generations to enjoy.
As we walked, we talked about their vision for the site, how it has been enjoyed over the years, and how they wanted to assure future public access. Goat Hill is not a Mt Katahdin. The terrain climbs, but not aggressively. Given that they were seeking federal funds for this project, the question of accessibility was raised, and that was the moment their vision for what this park could be changed.
Who builds accessible trails up mountains and hills? Can it be done? Has anyone else in Maine done it? Following the thought that if it can be done, it should be done, the local project sponsors left the meeting determined to discover the answers.
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In the fall of 2016, the town applied for LWCF assistance. Their vision: “The Town of Acton proposes to purchase for outdoor recreation, scenic enjoyment, and education a 25-acre parcel that contains woods and a park-like summit that offers a 360-degree view of the White Mountains and surrounding landscape. Following purchase, the Town of Acton and partner Three Rivers Land Trust would jointly develop a gravel parking lot and a three-quarter mile-long gravel trail to the summit. The trail would be laid out in a sustainable manner so that it could eventually meet handicapped accessibility standards.”
This goal was met. The land was purchased. The parking lot and trail built. In 2022 the land trust received a RTP award to finish the work. They hired a professional trail crew to take the project to its final, fully accessible conclusion.
Through creative collaboration and commitment, the work and contributions of the community, project support by LWCF, and a Recreational Trails Program grant for completion of the project, the Goat Hill Trail is now open to visitors.
~ Doug Beck, Outdoor Recreation Supervisor, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
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From October 1 through March 31, pets are welcome on state park beaches, provided they are leashed at all times and under the physical control of their handler. Pets are not allowed on beaches between April 1 and September 30. Read more about pets in the parks.
Happy beach walking!
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Fall ushers in the end of boating season and the annual removal of floats at our boat launch sites. Staff will begin removing floats in Northern and Central Maine on October 11 and plan to complete the removal of all floats by November 9.
~ Heather Seiders, Outdoor Recreation Planner, Boating Division, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
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Get ready to ride! The Maine Snowmobile Show is on October 20, 21, and 22 at the Augusta Civic Center. It is renowned as the place to meet up with fellow riders, connect with snowmobile clubs, see the latest gear, get recommendations about where to ride, and chat with ORV professionals.
Stop by our booth to chat and learn about the trail systems in Maine, the grants available to clubs and municipalities, trail grooming training opportunities, and about trail signing guidelines.
The Maine Snowmobile Show is presented by the Maine Snowmobile Association. Admission is $8. Event hours are Friday 3-8 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday 9 AM to 3 PM. Parking is free. For more information call (207) 622-6983.
~ Joe Higgins, Snowmobile Program Supervisor, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
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Bring a picnic lunch and gather at the top of Bradbury Mt. at noon to view the partial solar eclipse. Solar Eclipse glasses will be available, or bring your own.** We will experiment with indirect pinhole viewing too. NOTE: To prevent permanent damage to your eyes, it is important to never look directly at the sun, or to look at an eclipse without solar eclipse glasses.
Meet at Noon at the Summit: Take the 1/4-mile Summit Trail to the top for a steep, short 15-minute hike, or the 1-mile Outer Loop Trail for a longer but gentle ascent. Reminders: Dress for the weather; wear sturdy footwear. Bring your lunch, water, and snacks. View the online program listing and flyer.
**Solar Eclipse Glasses can be purchased from Edward Gleason at the Southworth Planetarium. Email Edward at edward.herrickgleason@maine.edu
Weather Notice: May be canceled due to continuous precipitation or lightning in the area. FMI: 688-4712 (the park)
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Join local amateur astronomer James Shields as we celebrate International Observe the Moon Night by looking at the Moon from Camden Hills State Park. Multiple telescopes and Moon maps will be on hand for the viewing. Participants will learn how to borrow and use telescopes from Maine libraries.
The program lasts about an hour, but James will likely stay longer for those interested in additional viewing and a sky tour with stories about the constellations.
Meet at 8:30 PM in the field near the park entry station. The program is for adults and children 12 years and older—adults must accompany children. View the online program listing and flyer.
Maine State Park telescopes were made possible through a Maine Outdoor Heritage Fund grant.
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Maine's deciduous trees (the broad-leaf trees) are starting to show their fall colors! Autumn enthusiasts can visit the state’s official foliage website at mainefoliage.com to sign up to receive weekly reports by email, and can share their photos from throughout the state as the progression of color begins. Our Facebook page will include statewide events taking place throughout the foliage season, and our Instagram account (@mainefoliage) will also feature colorful fall shots. For more information about fall activities and events in Maine, go to www.visitmaine.com. For suggested locations to recreate while taking in the autumn splendor, go to the Bureau of Parks and Lands Fall Foliage Hikes, Rides, and Paddles page.
Fall Foliage Explorations:
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Hike with the Ranger at Camden Hills State Park
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Peek at the Park! at Grafton Notch State Park:
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Foliage Fun at Mount Blue State Park
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Volunteers and trail work at Bradbury Mt. State Park. Join us on October 22.
Volunteer Trail Day at Bradbury Mt. State Park
Sunday, October 22 - 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Join us on the trails for a morning of trail work and camaraderie with park staff and the New England Mt. Bike Association (NEMBA). The first fifty people who sign up and help will get a $50 gift card from L.L.Bean. Please sign up in advance by calling the park at (207) 688-4712. Meet at the picnic shelter at 9:00 a.m. View the online event listing.
Thank you to our Trail Day co-sponsors
L.L.Bean and NEMBA
~ Chris Silsbee, Manager, Bradbury Mt. State Park
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Monday, October 2 - 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Hybrid Event: In-person, online, and recorded.
Join as University of Maine Professor of Forest Recreation Management John Daigle conducts an armchair conversation about the operational, philosophical and political realities of running Acadia National Park, Maine’s most visited natural destination. Acadia faces challenges ranging from climate change to increasing diversity of its visitors to managing congestion and crowding. Acadia Superintendent Kevin Schneider will speak to the National Park Service mission of providing for visitor enjoyment, education, and inspiration while meeting the legal imperative to leave the parks unimpaired for future generations. Retired President and CEO of Friends of Acadia Ken Olson will lay out the part nonprofits perform in providing philanthropic services that help parks achieve a margin of excellence beyond what government can accomplish alone. All are welcome. View complete details.
~ Courtesy posting by Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist, Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
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Attend the Maine premiere of Stewart Udall and The Politics of Beauty. This feature-length film delves into the life and legacy of Stewart Udall, whose dedication to conservation and environmental justice left a permanent mark on our nation. Filmmaker John de Graaf will introduce the film and participate in a post-screening Q&A. With over 100 awards, including three Emmys, John is a true legend in the environmental film industry. This event is a unique opportunity to celebrate Udall's vision. Tickets are available on The Waldo's website. Doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.
~ Courtesy posting by Jim Britt, Communications Director, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
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Send article suggestions or newsletter comments to Jocelyn Hubbell, Interpretive Specialist, webmaster, and newsletter editor for the Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands.
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