Maine Trails Program Funding Helps Transform Long Creek Trail

South Portland - This summer marks an exciting milestone for outdoor spaces across the state as the historic Maine Trails Program (MTP) officially enters its first major implementation phase. Created by the Maine Legislature following overwhelming voter approval for the 2024 Trails Bond, the MTP is administered by the Bureau of Parks and Lands (BPL) within the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry. Though the first round of grant awards was announced just six months ago, several highly anticipated, community-led projects are already underway. 

One such MTP grant recipient is the South Portland Land Trust (SPLT). The organization is using a $139,000 MTP grant to reshape its Long Creek Trail. The project will transform an established, urban hillside trail into a more inclusive community resource designed to welcome visitors of various interests, backgrounds, and physical abilities. 

​In mid-June, just as crews officially broke ground (the big day is pictured at right), we spoke with Tex Haeuser, SPLT Board President, to discuss the project’s deep neighborhood roots and what this funding means for an all-volunteer land trust and its stakeholders.

An Urban Oasis

The Long Creek Trail is a unique asset because of its location. Situated on the former Brick Hill site (visible to commuters traveling along I-295) the trail serves as a vital nature experience right in the middle of a densely developed urban landscape. The surrounding neighborhood features a vibrant mix of market-rate homes, healthcare offices, non-profit centers like The Opportunity Alliance, and affordable housing units managed by Avesta Housing, which include four large, historic three-story brick cottages that many new Mainers now call home.

The trail snakes along a wooded hillside overlooking a scenic estuary where visitors can spot deer and native birds just steps from their front doors. However, despite being a major neighborhood amenity, the trail was not seeing extensive use.

"People in the community told us they weren’t using it because it felt inaccessible and too steep," Tex explained. "Although SPLT was providing this wonderful resource for the city, people couldn’t utilize it because of the terrain barriers.”

In an era increasingly dominated by screen time and digital isolation, having a nearby natural space is vital - but only if people can actually reach it. By transforming the Long Creek Trail, SPLT isn't just fixing a path. They are building the fundamental health infrastructure a dense neighborhood needs to step away from technology, find peace in nature, and connect as a community.

“Through this grant, we won’t be able to make the trail fully ADA-accessible,” Tex noted, “but we can make it a lot more accessible for everyday people."
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Small Land Trust - Impactful Project

For Tex, a former planning director for the City of South Portland, taking on the extensive grant writing and sitemap design was a natural fit, though it was the land trust's very first time navigating an application of this scale. He noted that the state's application process was comprehensive and highly organized, but acknowledged that the administrative steps can be time-consuming for smaller entities.
Fortunately, the support system built into the program made a massive difference. 

SPLT has worked closely with Adam Fisher, who manages the Maine Trails Program, to stay on track.
"We were initially concerned about whether we could get the answers we needed in a timely way," Tex said. "But Adam was extremely responsive. I appreciate the heck out of it - he’s been a massive help through the administrative process."

With its $139,000 MTP grant, SPLT plans to widen the trail’s walking tread, significantly reduce steep slopes and grades, and install new signage (including three interpretive panels highlighting the rich history of Brick Hill and the local estuary environment). After putting the project out to bid over the winter, they broke ground on the project  June 17, 2026.

The Role of Volunteers

While professional trail builders are handling the technical grading, the project is also generating a strong grassroots response. To facilitate the project and to help fulfill its in-kind matching requirement, SPLT put out a call for volunteers to help clear vegetation around the trail’s entrance and assist with other tasks during the contractor’s active workday hours. The response was robust, with 16 volunteers signed up already.

When asked why so many people are eager to volunteer for trail maintenance, Tex noted the universal human desire to connect with the land. "Some people just love to get out there in nature. It gives them a profound sense of personal ownership, provides great exercise, and acts as a wonderful community activity."

Dedicated SPLT volunteer Bob Foster "holds a grudge against dead tree limbs overhanging trails"!

Looking Ahead: Welcoming All to the Woods

Because the South Portland Land Trust manages a  geographically compact network of trails with an entirely volunteer board and no paid staff, Tex is candid about the fact that this transformation would have been impossible without the state-funded bond.

"Our opportunities to acquire new land are limited due to the built-out nature of the city, so we focus heavily on stewardship and education. We operate on a small budget. While we might have eventually identified this as a priority and tried to fundraise around it, raising $139,000 on our own, even over a multi-year campaign, would have been very difficult, if not impossible."

The construction is slated to conclude by August 2026, culminating in a celebration hosted by the SPLT Board of Directors. But the work won't stop when the trail opens. Recognizing that some of the area residents aren't entirely comfortable heading into the woods alone, the land trust plans to coordinate a series of guided tours and exploration.  

Across its trail network, SPLT regularly  hosts guided walks, bird-watching events, and naturalist tours to build comfort and familiarity. Visit the land trust’s website (www.southportlandlandtrust.org)  to learn more about the trails they manage, upcoming events, and to sign up for SPLT’s quarterly newsletter. 

People tend to value access to the outdoors and believe that fresh air and exercise benefit health. However, it can be difficult to get to natural areas with accessible trails. Notes Tex, "Particularly in densely built-up areas, it is incredibly neat to be able to go out in the middle of all this development, find yourself in the quiet woods overlooking an estuary, and watch deer walk by. This trail will be open to everyone, and neighbors from across the region will be able to enjoy it safely."

As we celebrate this important project, the Maine Trails Coalition wants to extend thanks to the Bureau of Parks and Lands and the taxpayers of Maine! Your votes in 2024 are now having  impact on the ground, removing barriers, and helping ensure that Maine’s outdoors are truly for everyone.

​Learn more about the South Portland Land Trust and plan your next visit to the Long Creek Trail by visiting southportlandlandtrust.org.

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-Author Leigh Hallett served as the Director of the Maine Trails Coalition during the 2025–2026 implementation of the Maine Trails Program. This article is part of a special series documenting the local impact of MTP.