After months of hard work, the North Loop at Patten Stream Preserve is officially open again – and the wait has been worth it!
Over the past several months, BHHT Land Steward Ella has led a major trail improvement project at the preserve, working alongside staff, volunteers, and interns to replace aging bridges and improve trail conditions throughout the North Loop. The project focused on making the trail safer, more durable, and better equipped to withstand the heavy use, flooding, and challenging weather conditions that come with maintaining trails in Maine.
Building Better Bridges
One of the biggest components of the project was replacing several aging bridges along the North Loop. The new bridges were designed and built to provide more durable crossings while better withstanding flooding and the impacts of regular trail use.
The work didn’t stop at the bridges themselves. The team also stabilized the areas surrounding the crossings and improved the trail approaches, drainage, and footing. These improvements will help reduce erosion and make the trail easier and safer to navigate for years to come.
While the finished bridges may look simple, getting them in place was anything but easy. The project required countless hours of hauling materials, moving rock, digging, building, repairing, and working through the challenges that inevitably come with trail construction.
Ella and the BHHT team put in a tremendous amount of time and energy to bring the project together. Their work is a great example of the behind-the-scenes effort that goes into maintaining the trails and preserves that our community enjoys.
A Community Effort
A project of this size couldn’t happen without help from the community. Local businesses, volunteers, students, interns, and conservation partners all played an important role in bringing these improvements to Patten Stream Preserve.
We are especially grateful to:
Bobcat Road Cedar Products, who milled the beautiful custom cedar used to construct the new bridges.
Hammond Lumber in Blue Hill, who supplied the framing materials needed for the project.
The GSA Track Team, who helped haul lumber out to the work site.
And, of course, our incredible volunteers, who showed up ready to work, haul materials, move rock, and tackle whatever needed to be done. Their willingness to get their hands dirty and put in the hard work made a tremendous difference.
We are also incredibly grateful to the AllTrails Stewards Fund for supporting this project. Their funding helped make these improvements possible and allowed us to make an important investment in the long-term stewardship of Patten Stream Preserve.
Come See the Improvements
Trail work is often a behind-the-scenes part of conservation. A finished bridge or improved trail may seem like a small thing, but these projects require planning, materials, funding, equipment, and a whole lot of people willing to put in the work.
At Patten Stream Preserve, that work has resulted in a safer, more resilient, and more enjoyable North Loop for everyone to explore.
The bridges are in, the trails are improved, and the North Loop is ready for you!
Come take a walk at Patten Stream Preserve and see the improvements for yourself. We hope you’ll enjoy the trail – and take a moment to appreciate all the people who helped make it possible.
