Community brings school trail to life

by FRITZ FREUDENBERGER

The Community School District opened its expanded trail system this year thanks to collaborative efforts between the schools and a dedicated group of community volunteers and supporters. Primarily for Seahawk athletics, the trail system is also open to the public and was used for the 2024 Boothbay Region Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day.  

Cross-country coach Nick Scott said the expansion is a fantastic opportunity for the community to have more outdoor space, and the running program to host meets on its own turf. The trail is a mile-and-a-half long mix of graveled and mulched path behind the school campus, a mix of hills and flat sections through fields and woods. 

“It's awesome,” Scott said. “We have a super wide trail in the woods, which is great for running two or three people abreast. There's plenty of room to pass. It is challenging. There's some hilly terrain, but as far as course layout and quality goes, it's fantastic. So, it's as good as any Mountain Valley Conference course that we will run.” 

The trail started off as a narrow hiking path from the field hockey field that looped around the elementary school playground. When Scott became coach, around 2006, he made a push to host cross-country meets on campus, helping make a connection with Penny Lake Preserve to allow a full cross-country 5k. Over the years, the team and community volunteers improved the school’s sections, making strides when someone could volunteer time with construction equipment.  

In 2009, Scott and other community members started the Lobster Roll 5k, a community event with the goal of raising enough money to build a track at the school. He said it eventually became clear the plans would not come to fruition, so organizers decided to put the efforts toward expanding trails. The trail project reached a milestone this year, and the Seahawks were able to host a meet during the fall cross-country season.  

“We had grand plans, but it just did not (pan out) and that's fine. We're all glad that the money went towards the same sort of goals, a place for the kids to be able to train and run,” said Liz Giles-Brown, one of the Lobster Roll 5k organizers.   

According to Scott, the project was completely community funded. He said it cost around $50,000, largely from funds raised by the Lobster Roll 5k. In addition, Boothbay Region Lions Club and the Rotary Club of Boothbay Harbor donated. Scott also thanked the many volunteers and students who worked on it.  

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