Milestone Agreement Signed: Maine Audubon Transfers Ownership of
85-Acre Fore River Sanctuary to Portland Trails

Just in time for National Trails Day, Saturday, June 2, the two organizations
announce a celebrated addition to a growing urban trail network

FALMOUTH, Maine, May 29, 2007—With a feather quill pen symbolizing the historic nature of the occasion, a signing ceremony today marked Maine Audubon’s transfer to Portland Trails of the deed of ownership of Fore River Sanctuary on outer Congress Street.

The transfer is the latest milestone in the history of a piece of land that has served Portland commercially and recreationally for more than 200 years.

“It’s a historic day for Fore River Sanctuary and all of Portland,” said Nan Cumming, Portland Trails executive director.

“Becoming owners and stewards of this extraordinary sanctuary within the city gives Portland Trails an exciting new way to fulfill our mission to create a trail network that connects open spaces throughout greater Portland. We are very grateful to Maine Audubon.”

Located just one mile from the Portland International Jetport, 85-acre Fore River Sanctuary includes land that is part of Portland’s history as a major transportation hub for commerce, beginning in Revolutionary War days.

Its trails follow the towpath of the historic Cumberland and Oxford Canal, a 20-mile, hand-dug canal through which horse-drawn barges once moved goods from the wharves of Portland to the farm country north of Sebago Lake.

More than three miles of trails marked by blue blazes wind through wildlife habitat that is wetland, grassland, and mixed forest. Spring brings a diversity of bird life that begins with red-winged blackbirds and warblers, while reeds and cattails sway through summer and fall. Hidden within the sanctuary is Jewell Falls, Portland’s only waterfall, splashing and tumbling below regal white pine.

Maine Audubon received the bulk of the sanctuary acreage from 1971-83, adding additional gift parcels in 1990 and 1994. The organization created and improved marked trails, posted informational signage, coordinated many volunteer-supported clean-ups, and sponsored environmental education programs there for adults and children.

Maine Audubon and Portland Trails worked together to install a pedestrian bridge over the Fore River, creating safe access from Congress Street.

“For more than 35 years, Maine Audubon has managed Fore River Sanctuary to support the needs of wildlife and make it a place where it’s easy for people to connect with nature,” said Kevin Carley, Maine Audubon executive director.

“Now Portland Trails has become the right organization to begin a new chapter of the sanctuary’s history. Maine Audubon will continue to maintain our 11 other sanctuaries statewide, including three in the Greater Portland area.”

Portland Trails will begin immediately on an ambitious plan to upgrade the trail system within the Sanctuary.

Led by Portland Trails’ trail manager Jaime Parker, a crew from the Maine Conservation Corps will work on site from July 24 through August 17.

Additional signage, improved parking areas, and a new access trail via an entry off Starbird Road are in the works. Portland Trails also is very interested in expanding the land protected within the sanctuary and will work to acquire neighboring parcels in the coming year.

Visitors have the chance to explore Fore River Sanctuary any day—but doing so this Saturday, June 2 is an opportunity to mark National Trails Day.

Directions to Fore River Sanctuary: Take Exit 5B, Congress Street West, off of I-295. Continue west 1.1 miles on Congress Street. Turn right onto Frost Street at a light, and then quickly take the next left into the Maine Orthopaedic parking lot. Follow the paved sidewalk 200 yards along Congress Street to the entrance trail into the sanctuary. A sign is posted at the trailhead.

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