Toby has been busy as a beaver on the trails this year. Here’s a look at what he, our volunteers (big thanks to Jim McBride, Allen Sample, and Stephen Signor for all your hard work!), and our 2025 MCC Environmental Steward, Siri Lindberg, have been up to in the field this fall:
Replaced broken decking boards and directional signs on the riverside section
Closed trail sections to/from school and power line (removed signage, placed closure signs at access points)
Opened new section to re-form loop (removed blowdowns, trimmed branches, added new directional signage)
Updated metal maps posted at trailhead and new loop intersection
Looking ahead to 2026: We will work with Gorham Sand and Gravel to regrade the gravel parking area and approach road, and will update trailhead signage. We’re also excited to be partnering with Great Falls Elementary to co-design a new outdoor classroom for their teachers and students to get kids outside year-round.
Designed a new trail layout within the northern red loop for a single long technical trail
Contractor Chris Cyr is over halfway done with the machine construction of this trail!
Designed a single “blue” loop trail for the southern area of the preserve to limit maintenance needs and avoid confusion for first-time visitors
Designed several directional mountain-bike-only trails in the southwestern area of the preserve, and the trails are currently under construction by contractor Max Southam
Our friends at Greater Portland NEMBA have an ongoing fundraising effort for this project - donate here to help support construction costs
Looking ahead to 2026: We plan to complete the new long technical trail in the northern part of the preserve, and after that we’ll update maps at all intersections to show new trail routes, as well as the new ADA trail in the adjacent East Windham Conservation Area.
Black Brook Preserve – Windham
Built 300 feet of new raised boardwalk to replace failing bog bridges on the Diamond Trail
Community volunteers and the Windham High School lacrosse team were invaluable in providing labor for this effort – thank you!
Repaired the viewing platform on the Hawkes Trail (replaced decking, re-leveled support pieces, moved sections that had migrated with high spring waters, relocated a bench)
Built 50 feet of small bridges to cover trouble spots on the Diamond Trail
Closed a small trail section to simplify navigation and maintenance (posted closure signs at entrances)
Built a new four-foot landing for a major bridge in the center of the preserve
Mowed field trails (thanks Gene MacVicar!)
Updated trail maps and added “You Are Here” stickers at each intersection
Bush-hogged the upper field to maintain meadow habitat and discourage invasive plants
Looking ahead to 2026: We have plans to build more small bridges in trouble spots in the northern part of the preserve with lumber left over from the major boardwalk projects (reduce, reuse, recycle!)
Updated trail maps and added “You Are Here” stickers at intersections throughout the trail network
Built a new 14-foot bridge to route around low and seasonally wet section on red loop trail
Replaced rotting decking boards on bridges throughout the preserve
Eliminated a portion of the goldfish population (they’re invasive!) in the farm pond with nets and kayak
Looking ahead to 2026: The goldfish are persistent – in the spring we’ll try using minnow traps to hopefully eliminate the rest of the population. We’ll also be replacing all directional signs with updated new logo arrow signs, plus creating and installing a new informational panel at the trailhead.
Mill Brook Preserve – Westbrook
Built three new 16-foot bridges in the southern loop
Replaced rotting deck boards throughout network, especially in the two-mile southern loop
Refurbished three bridges with new stringers
Mowed trails in power line sections
Cleared major and minor blowdowns
Completed building a 75-foot raised boardwalk over the very wet power line section leading into the northern part of the preserve (added ramps, finished leveling, cut posts)
Looking ahead to 2026: Lots of new signage! We’re planning for new maps at all intersections and updated directional signage throughout the network. There are also still some broken boards to replace throughout the northern section. We’re very excited to work with a local Boy Scout from Westbrook Troop 87 whose Eagle Scout Service Project will be replacing bog bridges in the second largest power line crossing with a single section of raised boardwalk.
Finalized boardwalks with extra nails, re-leveling, and cutting off pipes
Added blue paint blazes
Posted metal trail map
Looking ahead: Planned updates for the entrance include constructing a 1,450-foot gravel parking area (room for approximately two cars) with Gorham Sand and Gravel, and Toby will be adding split-rail fence sections to beautify and define the parking/trailhead area. We’ll also post new trailhead kiosk signage including an updated trail map.
Little River Preserve – Gorham
Mowed roadside meadow and riverside open-canopy invasive stretch
Developed an improvement plan for structures and signage
Closed white trail (removed signage, placed closure signs at access points)
Re-decked the longest bridge in the first trail section (two parallel bridges have become one!)
Replaced broken and unstable decking on three other span bridges
Replaced directional signage with the new logo
Looking ahead to 2026: There’s lots to come next year at Little River! Navigating the preserve will become even easier after we post a new metal map at the trailhead and design and post a notice about habitat management in the roadside meadow.