LISBON

Unmarked trails may soon be a thing of the past in Lisbon.

Parks and Recreation Director Mark Stevens noted there are a number of unmarked paths in town.

“At Beaver Park, if you’re walking out there, there’s so many trail connections,” he said. “You might go a couple hundred yards without seeing a sign and there might be some crossover trails.”

In addition to helping people know where they are going, the mapping project also will increase safety. Trail locations can be marked on GPS-enabled devices, such as smartphones.

To fund the mapping project, the town is applying for a $500 grant from Portland Greendrinks, a social net- working nonprofit that supports environmental and sustainability causes. The town council approved applying for the grant on Tuesday.

The grant will fund the mapping project and printing costs for maps.

Stevens said the recreation department would add signs to any unmarked trails revealed in the mapping project.

Councilors noted they would like to see how much it would cost to add signs on the trails. Adding signs along Route 196 to direct people to the town’s trails also may be considered.

Once the maps are ready for distribution, they will be available at the town office, Beaver Park, and trail heads in town.

At Tuesday’s meeting, councilors authorized the public works department to seek bids for upcoming projects. The town has budgeted $425,000 for paving, and annual center line and striping work. Those projects will still need final budget approval before moving forward.

chris@timesrecord.com

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