WEST FARMINGTON – The name of the 15-mile-long Jay-Wilton-Farmington rail trail will be unveiled at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 17, at the trailhead parking lot in West Farmington.
More than 100 fifth- and sixth-graders from Jay and Wilton submitted ideas for the trail name. One not only had his trail name selected but will also win a new bicycle and other gifts donated by L.L. Bean, Northern Lights and Franklin Savings Bank. Five other students will also win bicycles.
Each year the Jay-Wilton-Farmington Rail Trail Coalition makes trail improvements. Last year’s projects were the parking lot at which the trail dedication will be conducted, and two miles of trail resurfacing. This year, the group hopes to build a bridge across Sandy River. It has already secured grant funds from the state Department of Transportation for the engineering portion of the project. The dedication will serve as a kickoff to fundraising for the bridge.
“We’re moving to the phase of raising funds for the construction of the actual bridge,” said David Rodrigues of the Bureau of Parks and Land and a member of the Jay-Wilton-Farmington Rail Trail Coalition.
The bridge will connect the trail to in-town Farmington near the University of Maine’s ball fields. UMF granted an easement for the trail to use its property.
“There used to be a bridge there, but it deteriorated, and all that is left is the abutments,” Rodrigues said.
Another project this year will be surface improvements for two miles near Franklin Memorial Hospital.
“The hospital has been very generous in helping us to improve the trail,” Rodrigues added. “The hospital has several trails that connect with this trail.”
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