The Freeport Trail Challenge, which began Sept. 1 and extends through October, is an opportunity for people to enjoy the outdoors, walk trails they’ve never seen and bring together different generations.

There also are prizes in the offing for people who hike all four trails in the challenge, organized for a second year by Freeport Conservation Trust. There will be prize certificates from Dairy Queen for kids who get all four stamps on their “passports,” and adults completing the challenge will be entered into a prize drawing.

“People were excited last year by new walks and things they could do with their kids or their grandparents,” said Katrina Van Dusen, executive director of Freeport Conservation Trust. “I saw lots of nice, multi-age family groups. And they found hidden trails that were right nearby. That’s our real goal, to get people outdoors.”

People are invited to visit trails at Calderwood, Quarry Woods, Pettengill Farm and Bliss Woods.

Last year, the entire fifth grade and some fourth-graders from Mast Landing School participated in the trail challenge. Van Dusen said she has been in touch with teachers at the school to see in they are interested in the challenge again this year.

Kathy Damon, Freeport Conservation Trust board president, will be among the hikers.

“As an avid hiker, I am a big fan of the Freeport Trail Challenge,” Damon said. “There are a variety of trails right here in Freeport, and this event is a great way to introduce local trails to people of all ages, as well as a fun activity for us regular trail users.”

As well as getting people outdoors, Van Dusen hopes that the Freeport Trail Challenge might lure new conservation trust members. Freeport Conservation Trust strives to preserve, connect and share the natural beauty of Freeport. Since 1977, the group has helped conserve 1,500 acres of land – from Mitchell Ledge and Talbot Farms’ working fields and the Cousins River marshes, to the open space of Sayles Field and woodlands of Calderwood Preserve. Many of its properties include approximately 20 miles of trails, which volunteers mark and maintain.

“The trails are open and free to enjoy,” Van Dusen said. “But new members would help maintain the trails and lend support for land conservation.”

Freeport Conservation Trust is partnering on the Freeport Trail Challenge with the town, the Freeport Historical Society and New England Forestry Foundation.

A Closer Look
Directions to the Calderwood, Quarry Woods, Pettengill Farm and Bliss Woods trailheads can be found on the Freeport Conservation Trust website, freeportconservationtrust.org.

Passports can be picked up at the Town Hall, Freeport Historical Society and the Freeport Community Center, or contact the conservation trust at 865-3985, ext. 212, to get a passport in the mail. Walkers can collect stamps from each trail for their passport or post a selfie from their walks on Facebook or Instagram (#freeportrailchallenge). Freeport Conservation Trust will assume permission to reuse and photos that are posted.