NEWS & UPDATES
4.28.26 — Spring Trails Update
Kevin Stewart, Katahdin Region Trails Manager
As the last bit of snow melts away, the birds begin singing and the trees bloom to life, we know that the summer trail season is quickly approaching. For those of you who don’t know me yet, my name is Kevin Stewart, and I am the Katahdin Region Trails Manager for the Outdoor Sport Institute (OSI). I am a member of the OSI team who spends the majority of his time on the trails and am involved in the yearly trail maintenance and construction plans. I’d like to periodically provide our trail users with some of the more important updates regarding the regional trails in the Katahdin Area Trails (KAT) systems. Regular KAT updates will include seasonal activities, trail maintenance schedules, volunteer opportunities, construction plans, occasional trail closures, and general trail conditions.
Maintenance
Our seasonal trail cleanup and maintenance will be starting in mid-to-late April. The focus will be initially on removing any blowdowns across the trails, leaf blowing / clearing other small brush, and fixing any drainage or erosion issues that may have developed over the winter months. We plan to have the Millinocket Community Trails ready to go by early May and the Hammond Ridge Trails by mid-May. Maintenance work will also be occurring on the trails in the northern end of the Katahdin area (Peavey Brook Outdoor Center, Mt. Chase Community Trails and the Lumberman’s
Trail) in early May. In fact, we have a great volunteer trail maintenance opportunity in the northern end in conjunction with our Muddy KAT event during the weekend of May 2-3 rd . If you have any interest in participating or volunteering, please see the link below to the events section on the KAT website to learn more and sign up!
Events – Katahdin Area Trails
If you are out on the trails this spring and see any concerns such as downed trees, major erosion, or other issues, please let us know at trails@outdoorsi.org. Adding a picture or two of the issue along with a description is always helpful and encouraged. 2026 Construction
OSI was recently awarded grants from the Northern Border Regional Commission and the Maine Trails Program to continue expanding KAT networks! While most of this construction will begin during the 2027 season due to ongoing permitting needs, we have a lot of exciting projects in the works this summer. Here are some of the highlights:
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Hammond Ridge Trails: We first plan to finish the extension of the Chopped Tots Trail. This half a mile extension will connect to the original Chopped Tots trail creating a continuous mile of technical intermediate singletrack. This will provide access from the lower portion of Chopped Tots close to the Twin Pines Trailhead all the way up to Wannigan. The trail will cross Golden Road a couple times and end at a future hub for more intermediate cross-country trails.
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Millinocket Community Trails: Plans for 2026 include adding the missing link of the Long Acre Trail. The new section will connect the bottom of Flowage to the original upper Long Acre extension heading to Alpine Avenue. This will separate the currently shared section of Long Acre and the Raymond Trail and create a true beginner trail from Stearns to Alpine Ave. Additionally, we will rework some of the turns on the existing trails to make them wider and easier for beginner mountain bikers. We will also be hosting a volunteer day working on the Raymond Trail. Stay tuned for more details and dates if you’d like to participate.
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Peavey Brook Outdoor Center (PBOC): We are pleased to announce that more trails will be coming to the north end of the Katahdin area this year! We currently have plans to finish the Bean Hole Trail with the addition of another half mile, to create a longer beginner loop. This trail will connect between Twig Eater, ‘Merican Tread, and the end of the downhill gravity trails. We also plan to build a new beginner mountain bike skills loop named Chickadee, starting at the trailhead near the parking area, connecting into the Adams Trail. This trail will include introductory singletrack and built wooden features to get warmed up on before heading out on the trails. Chickadee will be a great trail for beginners to practice on as well.
Work Impacting Trails
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Hammond Ridge Trails: Please note that due to construction that has begun at New England Outdoor Center in the Spring of 2026, the half mile section of the Golden Road Trail between Knife Edge Brewery and the intersection of Wannigan is currently closed. Be mindful of closure signs and tape as well as ongoing work in the area. We are aware of the impact this work has taken on that section of trail and will work with NEOC to fix the trail when their construction is finished. In the interim, Wannigan Trail, also located at Knife Edge Brewery, can be used to connect to the original Golden Road Loop. This is a flowy and fun green trail built in 2025 which will only add about a quarter of a mile to the Golden Road Loop.
Seasonal Trail Conditions
As we shift out of colder temperatures, most of us in the region know that means we have transitioned into mud season. While we generally have sandy and forgiving soils in our area, some trails are particularly susceptible to damage during the spring months, before the soils begin to dry out.
We ask that you be mindful if you are out enjoying the trails. Please refrain from using them if you are leaving consistent tire tracks (ruts) or deep footprints in the trail. This will help ensure the trails set up well and are ready to use when the temperatures warm up. Generally, the KAT systems will be ready for use in early May. We will keep you posted on trail conditions via the KAT social media channels. However, rainy weather can quickly re-saturate the soil. Being mindful of this will help ensure the trails remain sustainable and are in great shape all season. Thank you for taking time to read our seasonal update! If you have any questions or would like to chat about any of the information above, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me anytime at trails@outdoorsi.org.
Kevin Stewart
12.12.2025 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Outdoor Sport Institute Awarded $1.25 Million to Expand Katahdin Area Trail Networks
Combined state and federal grants will create 18+ miles of new trails across two counties in Northern Maine.
Millinocket, ME – The Outdoor Sport Institute (OSI) has been awarded $1.25 million in grants to expand non-motorized trail systems throughout Maine’s Katahdin Region, supporting the area’s growing outdoor recreation economy and enhancing its position as a premier trail destination.
The funding includes a $1 million award from the Northern Border Regional Commission (NBRC) and a $250,000 grant from the State of Maine’s Maine Trails Program (MTP). With matching funds, the total project investment will reach $1,276,480.
“These awards are the result of more than a decade of community partnership building and continuous investments in professional planning, design, and construction,” said Mike Smith, OSI Executive Director. “This project will attract private investment, support local workforce development, and expand world-class trail experiences for both residents and visitors. Most of all, it will support and enhance a quality of life in these communities that’s rooted in the outdoors.”
Project Overview
The multi-year initiative, spanning 2026-2028, will deliver over 18 miles of natural surface, non-motorized trails across northern Penobscot, and southern Aroostook counties in the communities of Island Falls, Patten, and Millinocket. Work will be completed by the OSI Katahdin Region Trail Crew and professional contractors.
The project includes four distinct trail systems within the Katahdin Area Trails (KAT) network:
Hammond Ridge Trail System – 4.5 + miles of singletrack will be added to this destination trail system, including technical shared-use trails, beginner-friendly flow trails, and advanced bike-only gravity trails originating from the Knife Edge Brewery trailhead at New England Outdoor Center.
Millinocket Community Trail System – Trails extending from Katahdin Pride Park will be expanded and rehabilitated to improve community access between schools and local neighborhoods.
Peavey Brook Outdoor Center Trail System – 3.5 + miles of new singletrack will be added to this growing trail system established by the Elliotsville Foundation near Patten and Mt Chase, including beginner loops, bike-only gravity trails, and technical shared-use trails offering a remote backcountry experience.
Pleasant Pond Trail System – In partnership with the town of Island Falls, an entirely new trail system will be established on town-owned working forest land, featuring trails for hikers, runners, mountain bikers, snowshoers, and cross-country skiers.
The NBRC funding was part of the Commission’s fall 2025 competitive round, which awarded $37.2 million to 59 projects across Maine, New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. The grants support infrastructure improvements, tourism development, and economic revitalization in rural communities throughout the Northern Border region.
“This project builds on extensive planning and community engagement to position the Katahdin Region as a destination for outdoor recreation enthusiasts from across the country,” added Steve Kasacek, OSI Trail Development Director. “While these trails will serve the region’s communities and economy, we hope the Katahdin Area Trails initiative as a whole can inspire investment in community-based trails across the state.”
About the Outdoor Sport Institute
Based in the Katahdin Region, the Outdoor Sport Institute is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to empowering active, resilient outdoor communities in Maine through trail development, workforce leadership development, and community activation.
Explore Katahdin Area Trails by visiting www.katahdinareatrails.org.
Media Contact:
Mike Smith
Executive Director
207-227-0250
5.18.2024 –
Lumbermen’s Trail and Storybook Lane Grand Opening on the Katahdin Woods & Waters National Scenic Byway
Patten, Maine
On May 18th at 12:00 Noon, at the Fiddlers and Fiddlehead Festival, Patten Area Outdoors will celebrate the Grand Opening of our Storybook Lane and non-motorized trail. Patten Area Outdoors is a volunteer group in the region focused on creating non-motorized, accessible outdoor options for our town and our region. Under the guidance of the Outdoor Sport Institute (OSI) and in partnership with Katahdin Area
Trails (KAT) our first trail is ready to use. People are walking the trail, some with another walking partner, some with their dog. People are walking the trail and spending a little time in the woods! Everyone, young and old can enjoy reading outdoors along Storybook Lane. We will be introducing a new book: “Hector Fox and the Giant Quest” by Astrid Sheckels.
As a part of our Lumbermen’s themed ribbon-cutting ceremony we will also be announcing our first “Youth Leadership Trail Ambassadors”. Please come out to enjoy the music, food, and fun at the Fiddlers and Fiddlehead Festival, and walk the “Lumbermen’s” trail. Our youth “Ambassadors” will be happy to take you on a tour.
KAT in early 2023, a partner with PAO, was awarded a Recreational Trails Program grant, through the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry, to construct a high quality, easy to navigate non-motorized accessible trail. The vision was to complete a short evenly graded trail that would include a children’s Storybook Lane on land behind the Lumbermen’s Museum. The hope was that this trail would be a
place for people of all ages and abilities to spend time outdoors together.
The planning and completion of the Lumbermen’s Trail was overseen by the Outdoor Sport Institute, and was assisted by staff from the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program of the National Park Service. Collaboration and commitment of the Lumbermen’s Museum, Veterans’ Memorial Library, and the Town of Patten will help to ensure the continued improvement, upkeep and maintenance of the trail and Storybook Lane.
We have had volunteer assistance and support from many organizations and individuals
including the Maine Department of Transportation (Scenic Byways Program), The Friends of Veterans’ Memorial Library, Patten ATV Club, Katahdin Collaborative, Northern Forest Center, Friends of Katahdin Woods & Waters, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Katahdin Middle and High School, Patten Area Women’s Club, Katahdin Tourism Partnership, and others.
Anyone interested in joining the Patten Area Outdoors email list please contact
MaryAlice Mowry at: maryalicemowry@comcast.net
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For further information please contact:
MaryAlice Mowry, Chair Patten Area Outdoors maryalicemowry@comcast.net 612-308-
8823
Julie Buhler – Veteran’s Memorial Library, veteransmemoriallibrary2021@gmail.com
207-528-2164
Mike Smith, Outdoor Sport Institute mike@outdoorsi.org 207-227-0250
1.01.2024 –
Lumbermen’s Trail on Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway
Patten Area Outdoors Community Group Vision Becomes Reality
Patten, Maine
January 1, 2024
In early 2023 Katahdin Area Trails, a partner in Patten Area Outdoors, was awarded a
Recreational Trails Program grant, through the Maine Department of Agriculture,
Conservation and Forestry, to construct a high quality, easy to navigate non-motorized
accessible trail. The vision was to complete a short evenly graded trail that would
include a children’s Storybook Lane on land behind the Lumbermen’s Museum. The
hope was that this trail would be a place for people of all ages and abilities to spend
time outdoors together.
Patten Area Outdoors, a volunteer group in the region focused on creating non-
motorized, accessible outdoor options for our town and our region, isare pleased to
announce that under the supervision of the Outdoor Sport Institute and Katahdin Area
Trails our first trail has been completed!. People are walking the trails, some with
another walking partner, some with their dogs, and some to bring their kids to spend a
little time outdoors reading our first Storybook Lane book: “Iciest, Diciest, Scariest Sled
Ride Ever!”
The planning and completion of the Lumbermen’s Trail has been assisted by staff from
the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance (RTCA) program of the National Park
Service. The Patten Planning Board with full support of the Patten Selectboard applied
for a planning grant to RTCA and have been working with a broad coalition of
individuals and groups to create our first non-motorized trail. The commitment of the
Outdoor Sports Institute and Katahdin Area Trails to oversee broad regional planning,
contracting and construction of the trail has been essential. The commitment of the
Lumbermen’s Museum, Veterans’ Memorial Library, and the Town of Patten has helped
to ensure the continued upkeep and maintenance of the trail and Storybook Lane.
We have had volunteer assistance and support from many organizations and individuals
including the Patten Selectboard and Planning Board, Maine Department of
Transportation (Scenic Byways Program), The Friends of Veterans’ Memorial Library,
Patten ATV Club, Katahdin Collaborative, Northern Forest Center, Friends of Katahdin
Woods & Waters, Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument, Katahdin Middle and
High School, Patten Area Women’s Club, Katahdin Tourism Partnership, and others.
Patten Area Outdoors and the Outdoor Sport Institute are holding an “open house” on
January 31, 2024, 2:00-4:30 pm. Starting at 2 pm we will have a “trail trimming” and a
public engagement session on plans for future non-motorized trails in Patten. We will
be doing light clean-up of the trail with time to walk / snowshoe along the trail and to
read our winter storybook. Students from our after-school programs will be helping out
and we invite others of all ages in the community to participate.
We will be offering home baked treats and hot drinks inside at the Lumbermen’s
Museum Building and Veterans’ Memorial Library (61 Shin Pond Road). There will be
posters showing future trail ideas, some fun activities, and time for thoughtsideas to be
shared. Please join us on Wednesday January 31 st from 2-4:30,; come when you can.
Anyone interested in joining the Patten Area Outdoors email list please contact Julie
Isbill at: julie_isbill@nps.gov
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For further information please contact:
Julie Buhler – Veteran’s Memorial Library, veteransmemoriallibrary2021@gmail.com
207-528-2164
Julie Isbill – Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program of the National Park
Service,
julie_isbill@nps.gov 207 449-0053
Dan Rogan – Outdoor Sport Institute, dan@outdoorsi.org 218-316-2634
Ron Blum, Chair, Patten Planning Board and Patten Area Outdoors
rblummd@fairpoint.net 207 267-0267
1.30.2023 –
TRAIL CONSTRUCTION GRANT AWARDED TO PATTEN AREA
Patten: The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry
awarded a Recreational Trails Program grant to Katahdin Area Trails to build a
short non-motorized trail through the woods behind the Patten Lumbermen’s
Museum.
The grant of just under $40,000 supports construction of a 1/3-mile evenly
graded trail that will be welcoming to people of all ages and abilities for walking,
biking, bird watching and snowshoeing. In a joint effort with the Veterans’
Memorial Library one section of the trail will include a children’s StoryWalk,
featuring Maine-themed books with sixteen reading stations. Antique logging
equipment provided by the Museum will be displayed along parts of the trail for
education and interest.
This project is possible thanks to the Patten Lumbermen’s Museum and
the Town of Patten allowing the trail to be built on their properties. Once
completed, the trail will be the first dedicated non-motorized trail in Patten.
A group of area organizations and residents called Patten Area Outdoors
(PAO) has been meeting to find ways to enhance outdoor parks and recreation
for residents and visitors with a focus on the development of a non-motorized
trail system in the area.
Patten Area Outdoors includes participation from a wide range of local
organizations: Patten Selectboard, Patten ATV Club, Patten Planning Board,
Katahdin Collaborative, Katahdin Area Trails, Northern Forest Center, Friends of
Katahdin Woods & Waters, Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument,
Patten Lumbermen’s Museum, Patten Area Women’s Club, Veterans’ Memorial
Library, Katahdin Tourism Partnership, and others. The group receives help from
the Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program of the National Park
Service, MaineDOT Scenic Byway program, and the Outdoor Sport Institute.
Preliminary work on the trail project has begun, with flagging of the trail
route and clearing the grounds of debris and trash. Local volunteers, Museum
Board members, and students with their teachers have been engaging in this preparation.
Additional volunteer opportunities will be available when
construction commences in the spring. If construction proceeds according to plan, the trail will be open to everyone to enjoy next fall.
More non-motorized trail discussions are underway and Patten Area
Outdoors is working towards a plan that articulates a vision, goals, and potential
outdoor improvements including parks and human-powered trails. Anyone
interested is invited to attend Patten Area Outdoors meetings. Join the email list
by contacting julie_isbill@nps.gov
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For additional information, Please contact:
Ron Blum, Chair, Patten Planning Board and Patten Area Outdoors
rblummd@fairpoint.net 207 267-0267
Julie Isbill, Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program of the National
Park Service
julie_isbill@nps.gov 207 449-0053