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2025 was such a busy and rewarding year for the Portland Trails community! From trail upgrades and volunteer days to community events and safer streets, we accomplished so much together. Thank you for being part of it!
Each December, we compile a list of the "best of" our trail world. This year's list was long, but we narrowed it down to the best of the best. Without further ado, here are Portland Trails' top 5 moments from 2025:
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1. Improved accessibility
This year, we upgraded two trails — the Riverton Rail Trail and the top of Jewell Falls in the Fore River Sanctuary (pictured) — to be more accessible to trail users of all mobilities. We call these Improved Access Trails, and they're wide, flat, and smooth. If you haven't seen these upgrades yet, check them out!
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2. Climate resilience
All of our trails are impacted by climate change, but our trails near rivers are affected most of all. This year, our trail crew and volunteers made major climate resilience upgrades to trails like the Presumpscot River Preserve (pictured) to slow erosion and reinforce our bridges.
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3. A new community event
This June, we held the first annual East Bayside Trail Fest! Community members ran, walked, and biked on local trails — and then toasted to each other at local breweries, restaurants, and shops. It was such a fun way to celebrate trails AND the East Bayside neighborhood!
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4. Safer streets for all
We installed traffic calming demonstrations at key intersections in Portland to slow traffic and make streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists. We installed the demos on Danforth St. and Diamond St. (pictured here at the intersection with the Bayside Trail). Did you see them this summer?
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5. Art on the trails
2025 was a very artistic year on the trails! We partnered with the Portland Museum of Art to bring five reproductions from their collection to the Evergreen Woods. (Thanks, Evergreen Credit Union!) But an honorable mention goes to Creative Paths, our four-part creativity event series with TEMPOart.
| | And now for the grand finale of 2025... | | |
This year, we've been working on something pretty enormous behind the scenes, and we're finally ready to share it with you.
Our new Economic & Community Contribution Study is here! This report shows the effects our trail network has on transportation, health, environmental benefits, and the local economy. The results are astounding!
You can see highlights from the study here.
The findings will help guide future trail planning, strengthen our advocacy for trails, and ensure we're meeting the needs of our community. But it's also an opportunity for you can see the direct impact your support for the trails has on the lives of your neighbors.
This study was made possible through a grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration, awarded through the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation. It was conducted by Camoin Associates in collaboration with Portland Trails staff and researchers at the University of Southern Maine.
| | Our $20,000 fundraising match has been met! | | |
Thanks to the generosity of our trail community, we've met our $20,000 match! Your support is already making a difference on the trails we all love.
If you haven't made your end of year gift yet, there's still time! No matter the size of your gift, every dollar donated by December 31st hevery dollar donated by December 31st helps keep Portland's trails safe, connected, and open for everyone.ected, and open for everyone.
Our Trail Guide Circle match challenge is still going on, though! All new gifts of $1,000 or more will continue to be matched dollar for dollar, up to $15,000. If you're able, now is the perfect time to join the Trail Guide Circle and double your impact!
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East Bayside Trail Fest registration goes live!
Mark your calendars! Our 2026 East Bayside Trail Fest will be on Sunday, June 28th — and registration for this running, walking, and biking event will go live on Monday, Jan. 5th! We'll be sharing more information as the day gets closer. See event details.
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Cozy Winter Market
On Sunday, Dec. 14th, bundle up for Friends of Congress Square Park's Cozy Winter Market! There will be vendors with locally made art, baked goods, hot food and more. Keep warm by the fire while you get your holiday shopping done! See more details.
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A Cambodian Christmas
On Tuesday, Dec. 16th from 4-6 p.m., join Khmer Maine for a warm and joyful holiday gathering celebrating community, culture, and connection. This festive event will feature Khmer food, music, dance, and stories all while supporting Khmer Maine's programs for Cambodian and Southeast Asian families across Maine. Get your ticket!
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Portland Trails is a member-powered organization! When you make a donation, you are directly supporting the maintenance of our 100+ mile trail network as well as transforming Greater Portland into a more walkable, bikeable, sustainable, and equitable place for all.
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