SANFORD — In a few weeks, bicyclists looking for new trails to explore and students headed to classes at the new Sanford High School and Regional Technical Center will be able to use the newly created Mousam River Bike Path.

The new mile-long trail is an extension of the existing trail system that currently ends at the Sanford Public Works garage on School Street.

Hazen Carpenter, of the Sanford Trails Committee and the Sanford Kiwanis Club, said with the extension the Sanford trail system will stretch more than 20 miles in total.

The Kiwanis Club established the first trail in the community in 1989, called the Kiwanis Mousam Way Trail. A decade later, said Carpenter, members approached the municipal government to establish a trails committee.

The trail system has grown over the years.

“Two years ago we built (the trail) from Pioneer Avenue to the city garage,” said Carpenter. “This (new trail) is an extension of that.”

Lee Burnett, chairman of the Sanford Trails Committee, said the new trail will be the most direct route to the new high school and technical center for students who live on the east side of the community.

“We think this can be something to give people a reason to come to Sanford,” said Burnett of the 20-mile trail system. “An interconnected route that is pleasant and scenic.”

Carpenter agreed.

“We want to make this a destination,” he said. He said there are already people who come to Sanford specifically to use the trail system.

Carpenter, at the trail head on Breton Avenue on a recent weekday, said the trail committee is now working on a campaign to connect the system.

One temporary connection will come this fall, said Burnett, when a series of pavement markers will be installed to mark the portions of the trail system from William Oscar Emery Drive to Riverside Avenue  and Gateway Park to Pioneer Avenue.

The markers will be installed Sept. 15 and remain in place for six weeks.

“(It will) give people in cars an opportunity to experience how an intersection might be modified, and give bikers and walkers an opportunity to test it,” said Burnett.

As for the new Mousam River Bike Path that extends to the new high school, Carpenter said the city will extend a sidewalk from School Street to the trail entrance. As well, the Kiwanis Club has committed $10,000 to construct the entrance, which will extend 150 feet into the trail. It will feature granite columns saved from the demolition of the old Emerson School, and the trail will be gated.

The trail is intended for non-motorized use.

Carpenter said there are plans for a timber frame structure at the trail entrance on school property, built by students at the Sanford Regional Technical Center.

There have been contributions from Genest Concrete and R. Pepin and Son — both companies have donated material to build the trail. As well, six landowners have given their permission for the trail to cross their property along with Sanford Sewerage District, which gave the okay for the trail to be located on their 20 foot easement.

The trail is being built by STS Construction of Lebanon.

Carpenter said he expects the project to be complete by early October.

The work will doubtless continue on.

“We’d like someday to see it lighted,” said Carpenter.

Burnett said a bike ride will be organized for a date to be announced to introduce people to the new trail.

— Senior Staff Writer Tammy Wells can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 327 or [email protected].