Hurrah for the Bangor Land Trust! Keep up the good work!

I just recently discovered this place - it is one of Bangor's best kept secrets. I think it is wonderful that the land trust makes such nice piece of land available to the public. If you into hiking & are sick of the dog-pen environment of the city forest (which most of the time is quite gross as people are not considerate about cleaning up after their dogs), then this is the place for you.

Further development of the Edgewood subdivision, not mountain biking, poses the greatest danger to wildlife habitat in this area of the city. There is no reason to prohibit mountain biking on the primitive trails. I have ridden on those trails for hundreds of miles and logged wildlife sightings and signs for the last few years. The Land Trust needs to reverse its decision on this matter, as mountain biking is by far the most popular activity out there. It is also interesting that the Land Trust had a family of beavers removed from the "preserve" early this year.

I'm sure this management plan is far more detailed than what little bit is mentioned here. Why not put it on the BLT website for all to read?

I agree Ryan-as I have said before I have biked out there since the early 90's-which honestly is before most residents even knew the place existed. Many of those trails out there were made by Bikers. So if the trails have been there 20 years or so-what is the big deal now? BTW-a few weeks ago on an article about the City Forest I had commented that the land trust was thinking of banning Mtn. Biking on certain trails-but mysteriously nobody else had heard about that. Now it has come to fruition. While technically this is not in the City Forest I'd wager a guess that most traffic access these trails via the City Forest.

How about a few majestic and wonderful Wind Turbines be placed there?

I am sure no one would object to the noise or atmosphere they create, and the "Green Power"

they create for a few might be financially rewarding. Contact First Wind..

Bangorian-the simple fact is some people don't pick up after their pets. I used to rent a house on 14th street in the center of town for gods sake and do you know how many times I picked dog crap up right in my front yard? Maybe it is for that reason I always pick up after my Dog, I don't know. I don't go out to the City Forest to count Dog Turds. Maybe that is why I think the "problem" is blown out of proportion. I do see some once in awhile-maybe 1 or 2 a week-and I am out there 4-6 times a week. I don't let it ruin my day or my experience. Maybe if I was actually looking for them I'd see more, dunno. Heck-if I have an extra baggie I will pick it up-even though it is not from my dog.

The "problem" seasons for dog crap in the city forest are Winter and Spring. I'll give you that with no argument.

You don't need to be counting to find the mess in the city forest - it's everywhere, I think you're minimizing the situation. In the winter, when we've been without snow for a while, the place is downright disgusting. I'd like to see more dog owners get handed tickets for being too selfish to clean up after dogs.

Most people can't pick up after themselves or their children,

let alone their pets.

In a previous article regarding Bangor Forest, there was mention that dogs were not being kept on leashes and allowed to run free. The article cited 1 instance where a dog had collided with a cyclist while on the trail. The article concluded that " luckily the dog was not hurt in the collision." What about the poor cyclist? Anyone who rides a bike knows that falling off a mountain bike is no picnic in the woods and could cause devastating injuries. Are these beautiful places in the woods really being preserved in held in trust for humans or are they really for dogs? We need to get our priorities straight here.

Some dogs are huge and a run in with one could cause some pretty devastating injuries to some individual either on foot or on a bicycle. Dogs are known to get very territorial and protective out in wild environments, much like a mother bear with her cubs. The Nature Conservancy does not allow dogs nor does Audubon Society on their trails. At least on their trails, you know you are safe.

I don't know Bangorian. Maybe you are the person who told me a few weeks ago when I was running (without the Dog for once) and told me to look out, there is Dog $%# all over this path. I saw 2 turd piles on that entire trail (East/west loop). I'm not exactly captain speed so it's not like I would have missed them because I was running too fast. 2 more than there should have been-yes. But all over the place? Not in my opinion.

And like I said-I fully agree there is an issue in the winter/spring when the snow melts.

But besides a brief mention of Dogs being allowed on some trails in the preserve, this article is not addressing that issue. Therefore our comments back and forth are off the subject. Enjoy the forest, and I hope you don't step in any crap over the weekend. :-)

Is the term "City Forest" an oxymoron?

The only way to create a true wildlife preserve is to ban humans entirely. Even mtn bikers don't realize the damage they do, running over wood frogs, salamanders, turtles, fieldmice and other critters that hide in the leaf litter.

A couple of corrections to the News story - first, we owe a huge debt of thanks to the Oldenburgs and Shuberts for this property - it was the owner *prior* to them who had the dreadful plan with the 1.5 acre house lots covering the whole 750 acres! And second, for a more complete description of our management plan, please look at our website at www.bangorlandtrust.org and look under Publications.

And finally - Chris Dalton will be leading a moonlit walk Nov 28 on that preserve - the full announcement is on our website.

We always like to hear thoughts and suggestions from the community - so please e-mail us at info@bangorlandtrust.org.

Thank you all for the interesting and thoughtful comments.

And please - if you are willing to volunteer to help take care of this lovely preserve - or to do some of the many things that need doing in our office - call 942-1010 or e-mail us.

Thanks!! Lucy

Thanks for the information Lucy. From the article and map I could not tell what trails were closed-the press release on your website helped clarify that. I got the impression that more was being closed than what actually is.

Thank you for working with us Mtn. Bikers on this. At one time, I believe (from what some of the Ski Rack guys had told me) that all biking was going to be banned in this area-and that would have been a shame.

I have enjoyed these trails also, however, I am worried that the current residents will now be upset with the increased traffic and lack of parking......currently the only access, where this picture was taken, holds about 3 cars. Not to mention the residents of Edgewood probably moved here for alittle quiet..There should be a better access road other than cutting through peoples yards.

great, but who pay's the taxes on that land ? Maine ?

Mainelyresident, whtat makes you think anyone needs to cut through the yards of the Edgewood residents? Walden-Parke has been open to the public for a few years now. I've never had a problem at all with the parking when I choose to begin my rides, tours, or hikes from the Tamarack Trail head. I think you'll find that most users of the preserve are mountain bikers who generally enter via the Veazie Railroad bed after parking at either one of the two City Forest lots or the parking area for the Northeast Penjajawoc Preserve.

Now for the scary part: The current trail head is slated to be moved 3/10ths of a mile farther south if the Edgewood subdivision's second phase is approved. This is because Tamarack Trail the road is to be extended that distance. Take a look at http://cityforest.bangorinfo.com/Maps/walden-parke-screen-shot.jpg. The shaded region in the Walden-Parke area is where further development is planned.

Ryan: for the past few years, there have been little to no houses on tamarack, therefore no one to complain...now there are families with kids.......I know a family out there and they have said the traffic of non residents has greatly increased. I just think if more people are using this side to enter, they better address parking before someone parks in front of a house. It truly is a great place to enjoy, and hope it stays that way. I also believe it will be a few years before the new proposed road will be established.

What could possibly be wrong if someone parks in front of a house?