Purpose and Priorities

Sunrise Trail Coalition Purpose and Priorities

Purpose:

Establish a four-season, multipurpose, recreation/transportation trail between Ellsworth and Calais to serve as the northern gateway to the East Coast Greenway, thus promoting economic development in Penobscot, Hancock, and Washington County by providing a recreational facility that will entice people to visit and spend vacation time in the under-utilized Downeast region.

Needs:

To join the multiuse trails of the United States with those of Canada and ensure that Maine reaps the benefits of being the northern gateway to the East Coast Greenway.
To provide a multiuse trail connection between Acadia National Park and the Public Lands of Downeast Maine in order to relieve pressure on the MDI trails.
To provide an off-road transportation/recreation trail providing access to scenic beauty and a quiet and safe transportation alternative for wheelchair users, bicycling families, youth groups and bicyclists of all ages who prefer not to ride on the roads.
To provide an appropriate and safe route for snowmobiles and ATVs connecting the dead ends of ITS 84 and 81.
To provide safe transportation corridors for pedestrians and bicyclists through congested areas in towns.
To form connections between towns as a thread to promote regional cooperation in tourism development plans.
To carry users into the centers of the towns along the trail in order that users and local businesses can both benefit from the availability of services and accommodations. Provide appropriate direct connections into towns for snowmobiles and ATVs when possible.
To utilize the railroad right-of-way and other public lands and easements in such a way as to minimize the cost of the trail.
Incorporate the trail into the MDOT vision of a continuous multimodal route from Boston to Portland, Brunswick, Rockland, Mt. Desert, and the Downeast Region.
Begin with a trail segment at least 50 miles long to make it worthwhile for people to come from substantial distances and stay in the area for several days to use it.
Integrate the trail with on-road shoulder bike facilities to provide loops that would include as many towns and special attractions as possible to expand the greater trail network.
Integrate the multi-use trail with existing and peripheral single-use trails (snowmobile, ATV, hiking, cross-country skiing, equestrian).
Be equestrian-friendly to expand user base.
Incorporate short, paved sections in towns to accommodate urban use.