Over the past few months, Blue Hill Heritage Trust staff members, volunteers, and interns have taken on a major trail improvement project at Patten Stream Preserve in Surry, made possible through the generous support of the AllTrails Stewards Fund Grant. These improvements will help ensure that one of the Peninsula’s most cherished trail systems remains safe, accessible, and resilient for years to come.
Patten Stream Preserve is a favorite destination for residents and visitors alike. The 1.5-mile trail system winds through 41 acres of conserved forest, following the scenic Patten Stream from Patten Pond toward Morgan Bay. Along the North and South Loop trails, hikers experience mature forests, peaceful stream crossings, and abundant wildlife. This trail system is a popular destination for walking, birdwatching, and enjoying the outdoors throughout every season.
Over time, however, the preserve’s bridges have experienced significant wear from age, heavy use, and increasingly severe weather. Rising water levels, stronger winter storms, and repeated flooding have weakened bridge foundations, displaced decking, and caused erosion along the trails leading to each crossing. While routine maintenance has kept the trail open, it became clear that more substantial improvements were needed to protect both visitors and the surrounding natural resources.
This season, BHHT is replacing several aging bridges with safer, more durable structures designed to better withstand changing environmental conditions. In addition to constructing the new bridges, staff will stabilize and improve the trail approaches to reduce erosion, improve drainage, and provide safer footing for hikers. These upgrades will increase the longevity of the trail while minimizing future maintenance needs and reducing the impacts of storm events.
Patten Stream Preserve is much more than a recreational trail. Located just a short distance from the Surry School, it serves as an outdoor classroom where students can explore local forests, streams, and wildlife through hands-on learning experiences. Blue Hill Heritage Trust also hosts educational programs at the preserve throughout the year, introducing participants of all ages to the ecology of coastal Maine and the importance of conserving healthy ecosystems.
The preserve also plays an important role in local conservation efforts. Patten Stream supports an annual alewife migration, making it a vital part of ongoing work to restore this native fish population and the many species that depend on it. The trail provides important access for educators, volunteers, and members of the Surry Alewife Committee as they monitor the health of the stream and support restoration efforts.
Projects like this are an important part of BHHT’s commitment to caring for the more than 50 miles of public trails we steward across the Blue Hill Peninsula. As climate change continues to bring more intense storms and higher water levels, investing in resilient trail infrastructure helps ensure that these special places remain safe and accessible while protecting the natural landscapes that make them so valuable.
We are deeply grateful to the AllTrails Stewards Fund for supporting this work. Their investment is helping us strengthen one of our community’s most beloved trail systems, ensuring that Patten Stream Preserve continues to serve hikers, students, educators, conservation partners, and families for generations to come.
