THOMASTON — When Oceanside Middle School needed a program to help students with ADHD redirect energy so they can be more productive in school, the Riding for Focus curriculum was formed. But then, of course, the children needed bicycles.

With grant money from Specialized Foundation, and sponsorship from Side Country Sports, the school acquired 36 mountain bikes.

But then, of course, they needed a place to ride.

On Saturday, Oct. 13, after a year of planning, and hundreds of summer trailblazing hours by students, the Midcoast chapter of the New England Mountain Bike Association, and Georges River Land Trust, a 2.5-mile, non-motorized, multi-use trail officially opened.

“The trail is for the entire community,” said John Anders, of GRLT. However, the middle school is going to benefit from it because of it’s location through the Thomaston Town Forest from the end of Booker Street to Oceanside Middle School.

“What’s unique about this trail system and this trail head is the proximity of the school and the residential area, having the neighbors in the area,” Anders said. “Mom and Dad don’t have to drop the kids off at the trailhead. They can just ride right from their house to here, and go explore in the woods.”

It’s also the only beginner mountain bike trail in the area, according to Anders.

This new trail, which begins just inside an existing trailhead, is purposely wider. Any hills are low, and most of the rocks and roots have been removed.

And though the trail is open to the public, this is only phase one, according to GRLT executive director Meg Rasmussen. When the next round of trailblazing is finished next year, the trail will lengthen to roughly four to five miles.

“We are really wanting people to get out, to be in nature, and to have fun outside,” Rasmussen said.

In the meantime, the first six-week Riding for Focus curriculum is about to start.

William Gifford, principal of Oceanside Middle School, said: “We’re anxious to get kids out into the woods before the snow flies.”

Reach Sarah Thompson at news@penbaypilot.com