BELFAST — In July, Belfast Passy Rail Trail project received an exciting challenge gift of $10,000 from an anonymous Belfast-area donor. This challenge states that the anonymous donor will match all gifts, of less than $500 and made before Oct. 31, up to a total of $10,000. This matching opportunity is an important part of the broad-based community appeal that the Rail Trail committee is currently leading in order to secure the necessary funds to finish the trail.

Although much progress has been made, the Belfast Passy Rail Trail project has important fundraising and construction goals to meet before Belfast can celebrate the completion of this scenic riverside trail system. From the start, the City’s intent has been to work on the trail as soon as funds were available. To date, under the leadership of Coastal Mountains Land Trust, the community has raised $300,000 of the $400,000 goal.

The next step for the City of Belfast’s construction crew will be to grade the entire trail to create a wider and more uniform surface. Additionally, 3-4 inches of stone dust, a byproduct of crushing stone for road projects, will be installed. Although additional funds are still needed, the City of Belfast was recently awarded a $35,000 federal recreational trails program grant that will assist with scheduled trail improvements through the fall. City employees are working to complete the permitting and site review required for the use of these funds.

The Campaign goal is to have a finished trail by late 2016. Trail work will be done in stages, based on funding. By making early investments in improving the decks and railing over the trestle bridge for safety purposes, that the city may have unwittingly created the public expectation that the entire project was going to be finished right away. Despite the great progress, there is still an urgent need to raise additional funds to finish the project.

Please help finish the Passy Rail Trail by making your gift today! Send in your contribution, that will be matched between now and the end of October, to Coastal Mountains Land Trust, 101 Mt. Battie St, Camden Maine.  You can also make your gift on our website at coastalmountains.org

Thanks to our donors and all the enthusiastic supporters and users of this amazing community resource.