The Friends of the Kennebec River Rail Trail is a not for profit organization that was created to help establish and ultimately support the ongoing existance of the Kennebec River Rail Trail.

It is thanks to the considerable efforts of the trail’s many “friends” that the trail exists today.  This group of committed citizens helped to: organize public meetings; seek town and city support from Augusta, Hallowell, Farmingdale and Gardiner; develop and execute agreements with both the Maine Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration; and raise matching grant money from many local area organizations and individuals.

Special recognition goes to engineers Lionel Cayer of Augusta and Andy Hendrickson of Farmingdale (both of whom were instrumental in overseeing the design and construction of the $4.5 million project) and to our two largest capital campaign donors: Kennebec Savings Bank and the Maine State Credit Union.

Today the Kennebec River Rail Trail  is a 6.5 mile public trail, that runs parrallel to both the existing rail road bed and the Kennebec River and one that connects the communities of Augusta, Hallowell, Farmingdale and Gardiner.  The trail is available for all kinds of non-motorized uses: hiking, jogging, biking, rollerblading, bird-watching, site-seeing, picnicing, etc.  It is a way that many of us find enjoyable ways to recreate, exercise, travel, commute and stay healthy.

The Trail both literally and figuratively ties our four Capital area towns together, thereby strengthening our sense of community.  And the Trail brings individuals and families to the Capital area and through our various downtowns, thereby contributing to and strengthening our Capital area economy.

The Kennebec River Rail Trail is one segment of the East Coast Greenway, a trail being developed along the east coast from the Florida Keys all the way to Canada.  The KRRT is heavily used at all times of the day and throughout the year.  Many have said that it is one of the best things to have happened to the region.  We commend the volunteers, donors and the city and town leaders who have helped make the Trail a reality.

Also worthy of mention and thanks are those that are serving on the Kennebec River Rail Trail Board of Supervisors.  The Board of Supervisors is composed of appointed members from each of the four municipalites that the trail passes through.  The Board is responsible for administering the Trail’s Interlocal Agreement and providing  for design, construction and management oversight of the Trail.