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Project cost: $50,000
Inland Woods + Trails is looking to raise $50,000 to re-route the Community Access Trail System (CATS) from woods roads in the Kendall Brook Forest to Bethel Village.
Background
When Inland Woods + Trails was originally established as Mahoosuc Pathways, a foundational goal was to connect Sunday River ski area to Bethel Village and nearby Mt Abram in Greenwood through a system of multi-use, year-round trails. In 2022, IWT opened the CATS between Mt. Abram and Bethel Village and has continued to construct portions of the CATS in the Bethel Community Forest which lies between Bethel Village and Sunday River Resort. CATS was identified in the Main St to the Mountains plan as a high priority project central to IWT’s mission and is the literal backbone of shared-use recreation in the region. This trail provides important connectivity options for the greater community (towns of Bethel, Newry, and Greenwood) which as collaborators will help draw people to the area as a unique recreational opportunity in Western Maine often seen in other parts of the state.
The Project
Despite finally making the connection from Bethel Village to Mount Abram in 2022, the final thousand or so feet of route connecting the woods roads and Vernon Street has needed to be re-routed due to heavy rain fall over the past several years, and the trail was soon after flooded by Kendall Brook. It has not been rideable or walkable since 2023. The situation was only made worse by the loss of the bridge over Kendall Brook in Spring 2025. While the roads below Mt Abram are in pretty good shape, it is not possible to connect to the greater trail network in Bethel from the CATS Trail without re-routing the trail to insure a more durable and sustainable trail.
How You Can Help
Become a Volunteer!
Support Them by Making a Donation!