A recreational rail-trail project that has been nearly 30 years in the making was completed Friday with the addition of two final miles connecting Ellsworth to Calais 87 miles away.
The multi-use Downeast Sunrise Trail is the longest trail of its type and part of the East Coast Greenway, which extends all the way to Key West, Florida.
The final phase of the $1.3 million project is expected to boost the Ellsworth-area economy.
All-terrain vehicle riders arrived in Ellsworth in force to officially recognize the completion of the Downeast Sunrise Trail, which was constructed on the former Calais branch of the Maine Central Railroad. The rail trail has been used by ATVers, snowmobilers, hikers, bikers, cross-country skiers, snowshoers, runners and others for the last six years.
Now the last two miles of the system have been completed and will bring trail users right into Ellsworth’s downtown.
“This is truly part of Maine’s transportation network,” says MaineDOT Commissioner David Bernhardt.
Bernhardt, who worked in partnership with the state Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry and others to complete the final phase of the trail, says it should be an economic benefit to the community.
“We all know that transportation plays a huge role in economic development and opportunity, and this completed section will encourage trail users to visit Ellsworth, local restaurants, lodging facilities, fuel stations, merchandise sales. And having the trailhead in the city of Ellsworth will entice tourists to visit this unique trail system,” he says.
Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Commissioner Walter Whitcomb says the trail that links Washington and Hancock counties is an example of how multiple-use projects can succeed in Maine. Although about 60 percent of the trail’s traffic is motorized, equestrians, hikers and bikers also use the route.
“This kind of thing … is really integral to our culture and not even all of Maine understands that,” he says. “Motorized sports are not a bad thing, they’re part of our life — we enjoy that. We can co-exist in our trail systems throughout the state.”
Erik daSilver, education program coordinator for the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, says the Down East trail is known for its courteous ATVers and snowmobilers, who frequently check with nonmotorized travelers to make see if they need any assistance. Still, he says that doesn’t mean common sense shouldn’t prevail.
“It’s just really important to wear bright colors, be seen and follow general trail courtesy,” he says.
Longtime Hancock County Sheriff Bill Clark, who now serves as a county commissioner in the area, says he heard plenty of naysayers when the project began in 1985 who doubted that motorized and nonmotorized recreationists could co-exist.
“Things have worked out just fine, those conflicts are not there,” he says.
In addition to linking the two Down East counties, the rail trail also connects to 800-miles of ATV and snowmobile trails throughout Maine.