EAST MILLINOCKET — Eastern Maine Community College has been awarded $247,500 through the inaugural Maine Trails Program to build the Early Childhood Cultural Nature Trail at the Katahdin Higher Education Center in East Millinocket. State officials announced the award on Nov. 26, part of the first round of funding through the new Maine Trails Program.
The project will create a public-access trail that supports outdoor learning, cultural education and community recreation. Plans include a looping pedestrian path, interpretive signage, a trailhead with a kiosk and cultural art and accessibility-focused features. The design incorporates varied terrain, a wetland viewing area and a glulam bridge crossing.
“This project will provide new outdoor learning opportunities for young children and families in the Katahdin region,” said Deb Rountree, executive director of Rural Development Initiatives. “We are grateful to the Maine Trails Program for recognizing the value of this work and for investing in a resource that will benefit our entire community.”
The Maine Trails Program was established to support the design, development and maintenance of nonmotorized, motorized and multiuse trails statewide, with up to $30 million to be awarded over the next several years. For 2025, all funding was directed to local projects, with a maximum award of $250,000.
KHEC collaborated with The Nature Conservancy, the Outdoor Sport Institute and the Penobscot Nation Culture and Historic Preservation Department and the MaineDOT Scenic Byways Program to develop a trail layout that reflects the region’s landscape and cultural heritage. The route follows the natural contours of the property, moving through forested areas and gentle slopes, with planned gathering spots for outdoor lessons and places to observe the local ecosystem.
“This nature trail marks an exciting step forward in connecting education, recreation, and the natural environment,” Rountree said. “Our goal is to create a space that honors the cultural heritage of the Katahdin region while inspiring young learners to explore and engage with the land. This project reflects strategic investments aimed at expanding outdoor recreation opportunities across the region, with a special focus on children and their families. It represents a high-impact initiative to strengthen the Katahdin Higher Education Center’s role as a distinctive educational resource and a longstanding hub for community and economic development.”
Once completed, the trail will serve residents and visitors of the Katahdin region, early childhood programs, and KHEC students, offering new opportunities for outdoor instruction, community wellness and connection to place.
Eastern Maine Community College provides high-quality postsecondary technical, career, and transfer education, and serves as a dynamic community and economic resource. We offer more than 30 one- and two-year program options, as well as short-term and specialized training and retraining courses for business, industry and community.