I write to encourage the Legislature to pass the Maine Trails Bond (L.D. 1156).

Trail use has increased significantly over the past few years, resulting in wear and damage. This, combined with recent extreme weather events, makes the $30 million investment the bond would provide even more important for addressing maintenance and repair needs.

Very little money goes toward Maine trails. The bond would provide us with this much-needed funding to maintain existing trails and build new trails across the state. It’s worth the investment to help our outdoor recreation economy that generates hundreds of millions of dollars every year.

Trails are a huge part of Maine recreation, used for a wide variety of activities including hiking, snowmobiling and hunting. The bond would support this variety of uses and make trails accessible for even more Mainers.

I am consistently amazed at how busy/full our local trailhead parking areas have been in the last five years. This certainly benefits all local businesses.

Kevin Slater, Newry