Maine Adaptive recently had the pleasure of visiting the new Trail for All at Buck’s Ledge—a beautifully constructed accessible trail built by Recon Trail Design. Enock and Mary made the trip to experience this inclusive path firsthand. Enock used The Rig, an E-assisted off-road adaptive device just acquired by Maine Adaptive, as his mode of transportation—and it handled the trail wonderfully.
The trail itself is truly a testament to thoughtful design and what can be accomplished when a group of like-minded people come together with a common goal. It winds for about half a mile through a stunning stretch of woods filled with massive boulders, towering trees, and the promise of wildflowers blooming along its edge. The smooth, firm surface makes it comfortable and stable for many types of mobility devices. Several benches and a few picnic tables—made possible through a $10,000 grant secured by the Bethel Area Age Friendly Initiative—will be installed in the coming weeks.
One feature we especially appreciate is how the trail incorporates resting spots at the base and top of the steeper sections—which reach about a 9% grade. The rest areas ensure that people can take the trail at their own pace and enjoy the journey.
Near the beginning, if you park at the first parking spots, visitors are rewarded with a breathtaking overlook of Buck’s Ledge and the surrounding area—an unforgettable place to pause, take in the view, and feel connected to Maine’s natural beauty. If you park at the upper parking lot, you can experience the entire trail and save that view for an amazing reward and rest stop.
While the trail may only measure about a half mile, it feels much longer as it meanders through the forest, inviting you to slow down and appreciate every bend, boulder, and bird song.
We were joined by an inspiring group of individuals who are helping to make outdoor spaces more inclusive in our state. Attendees included:
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- Julie Isbill from the National Park Service
- Julie Isbill from the National Park Service
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- Melinda Remington from the Bethel Area Age Friendly Initiative, which received a major grant to fund benches and picnic tables for the trail
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- Jane and Jim Chandler
- Jane and Jim Chandler
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- Ed and Leslie Rosenberg
- Ed and Leslie Rosenberg
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- Ellie Haughton, an adjacent property owner who navigated the trail using a power wheelchair
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- Vern Maxfield, Woodstock Town Manager
- Vern Maxfield, Woodstock Town Manager
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- Bob McQueeny
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- Matt Coughlin and Crew from Recon Trails who built this amazing project
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- Marcel Polak
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- Emily Ecker
We’re excited to see more trails like this emerge across Maine—where everyone, regardless of ability, can experience the power of the outdoors together.