Friends of Kennebec River Rail Trail | Augusta, Hallowell, Farmingdale and Gardiner Maine

The Friends of the Kennebec River Rail Trail is a not for profit organization that helps raise funds for trail improvements and maintenance. The board of directors is elected from the general membership and serves from 1 to 3 year terms. The Friends were instrumental in providing the cash local match for the completion of the trail.

David Auclair - President
Tom Reeves - Secretary
Lesley Jones - Treasurer
Chuck Applebee
Lionel Cayer
Jim Goulet
Sarah Dunckel
Steve Naas
Michael Seitzinger
Dave Petzel
Dawn Thistle
Todd Bachelder
Dave Hart
Dan Albert

2010 Board of Supervisors

The Kennebec River Rail Trail is overseen by the Board of Supervisors, a group of citizens appointed by each of the four communities, and charged with building and operating the trail. The Board is assisted by the Board of Directors for the Friends of the Kennebec River Rail Trail. The Board of Directors is elected during the Friends Annual Meeting, and are responsible for assisting the Board of Supervisors in building and maintaining the Trail, recruiting volunteers, educating the public, and managing both monetary and land donations.

Augusta:
Lionel Cayer
Jim Goulet

Hallowell:
Bill Allen
Todd Shea

Farmingdale:
Andy Hendrickson
Gene Moreau

Gardiner:
Philip Garwood
Jason Simcock

Community Service #2 - Kennebec River Rail Trail
Planning started for the Kennebec River Rail Trail fifteen years ago and in 2007 the final phase of the six mile walking and biking trail alongside the old railroad tracks was completed.

Early on the non-profit support group, Friends of the Kennebec River Rail Trail was formed, many public meetings were held, official support was gained from all the towns involved, maintenance agreements were developed and signed and Maine Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration approved three phases of section implementation.

For the next ten years, engineers Lionel Cayer of Augusta and Andy Hendrickson of Farmingdale, along with a group of volunteers, oversaw the design and construction of the 4.5 million dollar project.

The Kennebec River Rail Trail has created an off-road bicycle and pedestrian facility connecting Gardiner, Farmingdale, Hallowell and Augusta along the scenic Kennebec River and includes three downtown areas and associated neighborhoods and businesses. The trail is a significant benefit to the surface transportation system and certainly contributes to the quality of life in the four connected communities.

The trail also adds to the social and health benefits of those who use the trail. The Kennebec River Rail Trail is one segment of the East Coast Greenway, a trail being developed along the east coast from Florida’s keys all the way to Canada. The Kennebec trail is heavily used at all times of the day and many have said that it is one of the best things to have happened to the region. We commend the volunteers and the city and town leaders who have helped make this cooperative effort a success for the region. The Kennebec River Rail Trail… our second community service award winner tonight.