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Residents Urge Footbridges on East-side Trails; Board Weighs Grants and Volunteer Help
Summary
Residents asked the Select Board to add footbridges on east-side trails off Route 9 to replace temporary plywood crossings; volunteers offered to build and maintain bridges and staff noted potential grant and wetlands issues.
At the North Berwick Select Board meeting April 21, Peter Derby asked the board to consider installing footbridges on east-side trails off Route 9 where crossings currently use plywood and are unsafe for some users. Derby offered to volunteer to help build and maintain the bridges.
Selectperson Rebecca Reed said she and Parks and Recreation Director Kaylyn Bell have been discussing trail cleanup and invited Derby to join volunteers. Dwayne Morin noted that the footbridges on the Bauneg Beg Mountain Trail were installed under a $26,000 Maine Conservation Corps grant and said he would inquire whether the corps would share plans and costs. Morin also suggested the Day Fund could be used to support a grant application and that fundraising through Parks and Recreation might help cover local match or construction costs. He cautioned that wetlands in some locations and coordination with Unitil will affect feasibility.
Earlier in public input, Mark Reed provided an update on planning for an 11-mile Eastern Trail segment between Pratt & Whitney and Kennebunk High School, saying construction bids are expected in 2027 and that the town has researched both a RAISE grant (which pays funds up front) and HUD reimbursement grants; Reed said the town is holding off on a HUD application because of uncertainty with federal funding.
The board did not vote on specific funding at the April 21 meeting but discussed volunteer support, grant options and potential funding sources for design and construction.
