By Amanda Estes
Staff Writer   
    Visitors to the 2.5-mile stretch of trail that crosses the Scarborough Marsh are most likely aware the pathway is a part of the Eastern Trail, a primarily on road trail that connects Kittery to South Portland, as well as part of a larger network of trails comprising the East Coast Greenway (ECG). Although this section of the trail has been widely recognized as part of the ECG, it was not until recently that the ECG Alliance voted to officially designate it a part of the proposed 3,000 miles of trails from Calais, Maine to Key West, Florida.
        “I was of course pleased, but I always thought it had been done,” said John Andrews, president of the Eastern Trail Alliance (ETA), about the Alliance’s March 11 vote to incorporate the trail. Andrews said the ETA, which formed in 1997, started working with the ECGA years ago and they were told from the beginning the Eastern Trail was officially part of the ECG. “Everybody talked as if it was official,” he said referring to the ECGA’s 2001 visit to Maine.
        Andrews said nothing would really change with the official designation. Maggie Warren, Maine State Chair of the ECGA, said the organization provides trail groups with information and advice and helps smaller trail groups network with each other. Warren said for the Greenway, it is “another 2.5-miles of trail off-road” toward a goal of getting at least 90 percent of the route off road. Currently, 21 percent of the ECG is off road.  In order to become part of the ECG, a trail must have the potential to connect with other trails on the Greenway and the trail must be accessible for all users, including wheelchairs and cyclists. 
        A continuation of the national publicity and logistical support the ECGA can provide is certainly welcomed as Andrews said at least $20 million is needed to finish the Eastern Trail and the most expensive stretch is located primarily in Scarborough. Last fall, the Eastern Trail Maintenance District commissioned a study to determine a feasible way to fill a one-mile gap in the trail between the Nonesuch River and the Wainwright Recreation Complex in South Portland. As the trail exists now, users must travel on Highland Avenue to get to the Wainwright Complex from Black Point Road.  Andrews said the project would cost between $1.5 million and $3 million because the trail must cross the river, the Guilford Rail Line, and Pleasant Hill Road.
        Andrews said he is not aware of any available money to fund the connection.
        “The most beautiful route is unfortunately the most expensive,” he said.  “No one has ever thought it would be easy.” The trail crossing the Scarborough Marsh was funded in part by the town of Scarborough. State and federal funds make up the balance for trail projects. Earlier this year, the Trails for a Healthy Maine Coalition set up a trail of footprints and signs at the Maine State House to bring attention to the proposed $10 million Trails for a Healthy Maine Bond.
        Andrews said there are people who are concerned about spending money on trails.
        “You don’t just go to Augusta and ask for $10 million,” he said. “Money is tight in Augusta.” Andrews said investing in Maine’s trails would result in a boost in tourism. He said the most common question heard at the Wells office of tourism is “where can I take my family biking.” At the Mid-Coast office, 80 percent of visitors ask where the nearest trails are located.
        Communities will also benefit from increases in fitness levels and improvements in overall health, Andrews said.
        “Families will be able to go on Scarborough Marsh as they do today and get some exercise instead of sitting in front of the TV,” he said.