A Little History

February 23, 2009                   Augusta Trails incorporated

April 16, 2009                          Augusta City Council unanimously approves creation of Nordic ski trails at Bond Brook Recreation Area (BBRA)

May 2009                                Augusta Trails engages Morton Associates to design “world class” Nordic ski trails at BBRA

May 2009 – ongoing                 Augusta Trails’ volunteers, City of Augusta, and others begin construction of trails at BBRA

September 17, 2009                 Augusta Trails purchases “ginzugroomer” snow groomer and snowmobile for grooming of Nordic trails at BBRA and other area trails

September 28, 2009                 Augusta Trails meets with UMA Vice President Sheri Stevens to discuss linkage of UMA trails and BBRA trails once BBRA trails completed

October 2009                          Augusta Trails begins $480,000 Capital Campaign to fund the Bond Brook Recreation Area Trails Project

October 28, 2009                    Augusta Trails proposes to President of Maine Senate legislation that would exempt from state sales tax equipment used to build, maintain, or groom public recreational trails

October 2009 – ongoing           Augusta Trails collaborates with Augusta City Recreation in forming Augusta’s first “Bill Koch League” program – teaching area youth to cross-country ski.

November 2009                       At request of Augusta Nature Club, Augusta Trails reaches out to Elsie Viles for creation of linkage, over Viles’ land, connecting Augusta Nature Trails and Viles Arboretum

December 2009                       Augusta Trails proposes to Governor’s office a linkage between Viles Arboretum and Greenway Trail over state’s East-side campus

December 9, 2009                   Augusta Trails adopts logo

January 5, 2010                        IRS grants Augusta Trails Section 501(c)(3) tax exempt status

January 2010                            Cole Bros. begins excavation of Nordic trails at BBRA

February 2010                         Augusta Trails approaches MaineGeneral Medical Center to request its granting of an easement to City of Augusta to create linkage between end of Eastern Avenue and Greenway Trail.  MGMC agrees to grant the easement

March 2010                             Augusta Trails is “Charity of the Month” at Bay Wrap

April 1, 2010                            Augusta Trails signs contract with City of Augusta allocating duties for the development, maintenance, use, support, and promotion of the BBRA trails systems

May 27, 2010                          Second grade classes from Lincoln School receive education on Bond Brook forest ecosystems, history, and silvaculture at BBRA – first educational program for kids at BBRA

July 2010                                 Augusta Trails undertakes first membership drive

August 12, 2010                       City Council votes unanimously to accept easement from MGMC to create linkage between end of Eastern Avenue and Greenway Trail

August 25, 2010                       Augusta Trails agrees to provide $7,600 in matching funds to support City of Augusta’s application for grant to construct trail between Cony HS and Farrington School, the first step in connecting the Augusta Nature Center trails with the Viles Arboretum trails

September 28, 2010                 Capital Planning Commission unanimously endorses creation of linkage between Viles Arboretum and Greenway Trail over state’s East-side campus

October 2, 2010                      Bill Rogers leads 20 area artists on tour of BBRA, kicking off an ongoing association between artists and BBRA

October 7, 2010                      In cooperation with City of Augusta and GAUD, Augusta Trails arranges for purchase of Pisten Bully for grooming of Nordic trails at BBRA

January 9, 2011                        Augusta Trails hosts first NENSA-sanctioned Nordic ski race at BBRA – the “Bond Brook Inaugural”

January 21, 2011                      Colby Carnival inter-collegiate ski races held at BBRA, establishing the area as a Nordic ski competition site