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.

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