Laying the Groundwork for a Trail at Breton Preserve with Androscoggin Land Trust

Public access to the coastal, mountainous and historic hotspots is one of the reasons Maine’s population is increasing. These natural areas are threatened by land turnover and human development, forcing government funded conservation programs, local land trusts, and nationwide privately held conservation groups to take action. Throughout cities in Maine, there is a push for more public outdoor areas providing further recreational opportunities to facilitate holistic and educated relationships with the land. For these reasons, the Androscoggin Land Trust (ALT) has identified a need for a multi-use trail along the Androscoggin River at the Breton Preserve in Lisbon, Maine. To accomplish this goal, the ALT is hoping to apply for grant funding from the Recreational Trail Program (RTP). In this report, we include a proposed trail route in the form of a GIS map, a budget spreadsheet with infrastructure and construction costs, answers to grant application questions regarding the importance and feasibility of the trail route, and research on the indigenous, colonial and land ownership history of the property In order to propose a trail, four trail determinants were established to meet ALT’s goals: the desired trail aspects, points of interest, identifying route based on paths of least resistance, and indicating infrastructure required based on the paths chosen. Based on these determinants, two potential trail routes were proposed: the optimal route that portrays a greater variety of ecological features on the property, and the secondary route that is shorter in length and follows existing logging roads. While we propose the primary trail to the ALT, the secondary option would be more cost efficient. Both options include an ADA accessible portion of the trail with access to the Androscoggin River. We created a virtual Story Map of both route options, including a map tour of the infrastructure and points of interest along with a portion of our historical research meant for the Informational Kiosk at the entrance of the trail. The intention for the Story Map is to help promote the trail, help visualize both route options and provide a virtual experience of the property. The budget spreadsheet, containing the costs of infrastructure, construction, design, and labor, emphasizes the cost differences between the two proposed trails based on the length, additional infrastructure and construction. With the GIS maps, budget spreadsheet, application questions, and research for the kiosk provided, we hope to position the Androscoggin Land Trust with the framework to apply for RTP grant fundin