Coastal Rivers Conservation Trust announced on Monday the opening of a brand-new, 950-foot, ADA-accessible trail at Castner Brook Community Forest in Damariscotta. Constructed this fall, the trail begins at Piper Mill Road and offers a shaded pathway through the woods to Castner Brook.

The project was made possible with support from Athletic Brewing Company through its Two for the Trails grant program, which contributes up to $2 million annually to protect, preserve and maintain local trails. Also, a family gift in 2024 enabled Coastal Rivers to purchase three pieces of trail-building equipment, with which the organization can now do most of the work of creating accessible trails in-house. The new equipment made it possible to build up a durable, firm-packed trail with very little disturbance to the area.

Coastal Rivers expects the Castner Brook Community Forest Trail system will provide year-round recreational opportunities for a wide range of users, from walkers and strollers to wheelchair users and, eventually, mountain bikers.

Coastal Rivers has also applied for Maine Trails Program funding to construct a bridge over Castner Brook, which will open up access to the mountain bike trail system on the other side. Local trail advocates, including the 6 Rivers chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association, have supported the trail-building efforts and ongoing maintenance.

“This project was identified as a priority in response to strong community interest,” Coast Rivers Deputy Director Katie Beaver said in a prepared release. “Residents have consistently expressed a desire for local mountain bike trails. We’re thrilled to provide close-to-downtown, year-round recreation options for everyone in the community.”

Trail info and a map are available at coastalrivers.org/trails/castner-brook. Coastal Rivers invites walkers, strollers, and wheelchair users to enjoy the 950-foot trail this fall, with mountain bikers welcomed once the bridge is completed.