Do you spend your summers relaxing, or action-packed to make the most of the season? There are many moving parts here at the Town! Community Services is hosting activities nearly every day in July to celebrate Park & Rec month. We just announced that construction started on the long-awaited "Close the Gap" section of the Eastern Trail. The Town Council is meeting Wednesday with a full agenda discussing topics like the school building ballot language and Dunstan TIF district. Be sure to continue on for more of what's happening here in Scarborough—a perfect read for when you are relaxing!

Have you caught any beautiful skies, summer sunsets, or wildlife over the marsh yet this season? Enter your favorites into our 3rd annual summer photo contest!

Eastern Trail "Close the Gap" Construction Begins

Construction is officially underway on the long-anticipated Close the Gap project in Scarborough! In partnership with the Town of Scarborough, Eastern Trail Alliance, City of South Portland, and the MaineDOT, this project will add 1.6 miles of off-road trail to the Eastern Trail, connecting the trail segment off Eastern Road to the northern trail segment near the Wainwright Sports Complex in South Portland. The new segment will eliminate a key on-road gap, providing 16 miles of continuous off-road connection from South Portland’s Bug Light to Downtown Saco.

The project is the result of several years of work to raise the necessary funds, complete the project design, align stakeholders, and acquire the necessary permits and land rights. It went out to bid in Spring 2025 and construction began in June.

Plans for the Eastern Trail first began in 1998, when a group now called the Eastern Trail Alliance (ETA) held its first public meeting to make a trail connect Scarborough and Saco. Other major milestones were the steel footbridge over the Scarborough Marsh that was installed in November 2004, the South Portland Greenbelt completed in 2005, and trail extensions to Kennebunk in 2010-2011. The “Close the Gap” fundraising campaign began in 2012 with gradual momentum over the past 13 years.

The construction project will be completed in phases. The section from Pleasant Hill Road to Wainwright is expected to be completed by October 2026. The section from the Nonesuch River crossing (off Eastern Road extension) to Pleasant Hill Road will take a little longer, as it requires the construction of two bridges (one over the river, as seen in the photos, and the other over the railroad tracks). The full project will likely be complete in October 2027. 

Read the July 12, 2025 Press Herald article and follow along for project updates on our website.

Enter Our "Summer Outdoors" Photo Contest!

Outdoors is the place to be this summer in Scarborough—its parks, nature preserves, and beaches provide the perfect setting for the season. We want to see these spaces through your lens. Snap photos while you're out enjoying scenery or time with family, and share with us for a chance to win!

Submit up to three photos with a title and caption (optional). They must be taken in Scarborough and outdoors to qualify! For each photo, select which category to enter it into:

Categories

• Beaches
• Scenic Landscapes
• Nature & Wildlife
• Parks & Paths
• Pets, Family & Fun

Photos will be uploaded to Facebook on a rolling basis. The photo with the most 'Likes' in each category will win a gift card from a local Scarborough business. Thanks to Dairy Corner, El Rayo, Cafe Luna, and Dunstan Tap & Table for the great prizes!

Recent Entries...

"Shipwrecked" by Nicole Burchard

"I See You" by Gina Prokey

"Sunny Days" by Kylie Holland

"Pine Point Harbor Master Shack" by Robert Voskian

Enter yours!

It's Beach Season!

Check out the FAQs on our website for some reminders (dog times, plover protection, lot fees, and more). Heading to the beach often? Purchase a beach pass from Town Hall to avoid daily parking fees.

Free Outdoor Programs for Park & Rec Month

View full Park & Rec Calendar and details

We're already halfway through the month and have had a great turnout to the many free Parks & Rec programs being offered this month! Thanks to our partner Martin's Point Health Care, we are thrilled to offer a variety of events including fitness, wellness, and kid-approved activities.

For 40 years, the nation has celebrated Park and Recreation Month in July to promote building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. This year’s theme, “Build Together, Play Together”, reminds us of the contributions of more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals—along with hundreds of thousands of part-time and seasonal workers and volunteers—who maintain our country’s close-to-home parks.

Join tonight's program! There will be free yoga in Memorial Park from 6:00-7:00pm this evening, Tuesday, July 15th. No registration required.

Concerts in the Park

There are a few Thursdays left to enjoy Concerts in the Park at Scarborough Memorial Park (5 Durant Drive)!

July 17 – Plush

July 24 – Stolen MoJo

July 31 – Yellow Brick Road

Concerts start 6:30pm. Parking is available at the High School and shuttle transportation is provided (limited handicap parking at Memorial Park). Check the Scarborough Community Chamber of Commerce Facebook page for all up-to-date information regarding the concerts such as rain delays or venue changes.

Summerfest is Coming Up!

Friday, August 15, 5:00-10:00pm

High School Sports Complex

Celebrate the end of a great summer with your friends, family, and neighbors at Summerfest! The free annual event includes live music, food trucks, local businesses and organizations, a Kids Bounce Zone and more. It ends with a grand finale fireworks display when it gets dark. Free!

TONIGHT: Council Corner Live on Housing

Scarborough's Housing Strategy

Tuesday, July 15, 6:00-8:00pm

Public Safety Building, 275 US Route One

Join us for Council Corner LIVE, a two-way conversation and a chance for you to get to know your councilors and talk with them candidly about hot topic issues in town. This next Council Corner Live topic is to reflect on housing affordability and the goals for Scarborough.

At the start of the year, the Council identified five goals for their area of focus in 2025. Their Growth, Housing, & Land Use goal is to "develop a basis for defining an affordable and workforce housing policy."

A June 4th housing workshop formally began these discussions. It gave a snapshot of housing in Scarborough and to lay a foundation of information to establish a local housing agenda. Their next step is to seek community feedback as they continue the conversation.

Ongoing Road Work: Spring Street

The Maine Department of Transportation began a paving project last week on Spring Street between Mussey Road and Scarborough Gallery. The remaining timeline provided by MaineDOT is as follows and is subject to change:

• Week of July 14th: Paving in temporarily low spots in preparation for final pavement, adjusting structures, and ADA ramps.

• Week of July 21st: Work on ADA ramps and place loam and seed material

• Week of July 28th: Grinding joints between where new pavement will meet old pavement creating a lip, surface paving, driveway apron paving, and final striping.

Project anticipated to be completed by August 1, 2025.

This work is not associated with the Town of Scarborough. Any inquiries or questions regarding the project, including lane closures and detours, should be directed to MaineDOT Region 1 at 885-7000.

Traffic Calming Measures Around Town

Road safety continues to be a major priority for the Town of Scarborough when considering infrastructure investments. In fact, it is a central theme of the Transportation Assessment that is expected to be accepted by the Town Council in their July 16 meeting. Last week Public Works installed portable speed signs at Chamberlain Road and Running Hill Road. They will be moved to various locations throughout town. Next they are replacing flashing school warning lights near Blue Point School before the start of the school year (Pleasant Hill School will follow). Additionally, a second speed table was added for traffic calming on Maple Ave and is being considered for permanent installation.

July 16 Town Council Meeting Highlights

The Town Council meets once in July (tomorrow, July 16) and once in August (August 20). Here are some items to be covered as part of tomorrow's meeting, which begins at 6:00pm in Council Chambers:

First Meeting for New Councilor

This will be the first meeting for Councilor Larry Cain, who was elected to fill a Town Council vacancy in the June 10 election.

Rate of Growth Ordinance Annual Report

Since the new Rate of Growth Ordinance was adopted in 2023, it requires an annual report to the Town Council with the status of growth permits issued and remaining, and other performance metrics related to the impacts of growth. Planning and Codes Director Autumn Speer will present this report to the Council. It will be presented at the beginning of the meeting as part of the Town Manager's report.

Review of Recommendations for School Building Project

The School Building Advisory Committee (SBAC) concluded their work and made a final recommendation to the School Board on June 26 (view here, timestamp 2:02:30). They recommended to maintain the three neighborhood schools, Wentworth School, and the Middle School to address current space constraints and accommodate for projected enrollment (view their full recommendation). They also recommended a secondary referendum question for voters to consider supporting a larger middle school addition. The School Board voted 4-3 to modify the SBAC recommendation to put the full project on the ballot as one question. The Town Council will discuss this recommendation and determine if they choose to amend the ballot question.

First Reading on Dunstan TIF District

The Council will have a first reading to discuss establishing a new Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district in the Dunstan area of Town in an effort to shelter new taxable value. Several large undeveloped parcels of land in the Dunstan area have the potential for significant development. Success in other TIF districts in Town has demonstrated the importance of sheltering new valuation for the purpose of accruing shelter benefits. Learn more about TIFs.

First Reading on Marshview Terrace CEA

The Council will also have a first reading on a Credit Enhancement Agreement between the Town of Scarborough and the South Portland Housing Development Corporation for the development of affordable low-income senior housing located at 578 US Route One (Marshview Terrace). See the CEA agenda materials to learn more.

View the full July 16, 2025 Town Council agenda and materials. Use the left-hand column to navigate through each agenda item.

July 19: Free Household Hazardous Waste Disposal

Scarborough Public Works offers collaborative, multi-town opportunities to safely dispose of your household hazardous waste materials. This is a free service to residents of Scarborough, Saco, Old Orchard Beach, and Biddeford for all events (proof of residency is required).

The remaining dates for the 2025 Household Hazardous Waste Collection Days are:

• Saturday, July 19 (8am-Noon), Saco (15 Philips Spring Road)

• Saturday, September 13 (8am-Noon), Biddeford (371 Hill Street)

Please reference this flyer for a list of accepted materials and paints.

July 29: Community Meeting on East Grand Ave Project

Tuesday, July 29, 5:30pm

Pine Point Fire Station (Engine 4, King Street)

The Town of Scarborough is hosting a community meeting on an East Grand Ave road project. Scarborough's Town Engineer will share a concept design and receive feedback from the public to help inform the final design for a "complete streets" road project on East Grand Ave from Pine Point Road to the Old Orchard Beach town line. Early planning and funding for this project began from 2016-2019 and is now being resumed. Complete streets are designed for vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists. Attend the community meeting to learn more.

Public beaches have an 87% resident satisfaction rating

"Ferry Fridays with Friends" by Sheena Gorsun, 2024 Photo Contest submission

In 2023, we asked residents their satisfaction level with a variety of town services and more. Public beaches and waterfront parks? Those have an 87% satisfaction rating! Be sure to find time this summer for your beach visit, and look for our park rangers on site if you have any questions.

The next community survey is coming this fall. Stay tuned in the coming months to learn more.

Council Corner: Summer Council Committee Updates

By Bill Donovan, Town Council

The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Scarborough Town Council.

The Town Council’s Ordinance Committee met last week to take up several issues that have been undergoing study in recent times.

At its previous meeting the Ordinance Committee had voted to postpone until December further consideration of the Community Services Advisory Board's proposed amendments to the Animal Control Ordinance. This deferral of further action stemmed from public confusion over what was specifically being proposed by the board. 

After consultation with other Town Councilors, the Ordinance Committee voted to set aside the Community Services draft before them and start the process anew. It was felt that further data and information gathering was in order, as well as the identification of those issues around which there is a strong consensus of support.

A second issue taken up by the Ordinance Committee at its July 9 meeting involved consideration of a Short Term Rental Ordinance, which proposed regulating residential short term rentals (STRs). Scarborough, being a popular destination spot with its beaches, trails, and amenities, has a considerable number of STRs. The hearing drew a large crowd and the Committee received very good public input on the issues involved. The result was that the Ordinance Committee voted to consider a more focused approach than presented in the draft before them. The Committee asked the Town Planner to develop a draft ordinance that would allow the Town to specifically identify STRs, and create a database that can be useful in a number of ways and, in particular, for public safety. The Committee expects to take up any new proposal by this fall.

The Appointments Committee also met last week to act upon applications to fill vacancies on three Town Committees: the Planning Board, Conservation Commission, and Scarborough Housing Alliance. The Town Council wishes to express its appreciation to all of our citizens who volunteer their time to help make Scarborough a special place to live. If you would enjoy being more active in our community serving on a committee of interest to you would be a great way to become more involved.

Scarborough Town Council

April Sither (Chair) • Jonathan Anderson (Vice Chair) • Larry Cain • Scott Doherty • Bill Donovan • Cory Fellows • Karin Shupe

Town Council meets the first and third Wednesday of each month (third Wednesday only in July and August). Visit our Town Calendar for links to attend and view agendas.

Scarborough Land Trust Upcoming Programs

Yoga at Broadturn Farm

Saturday, July 26, 10:30-11:30am

Broadturn Farm

$10, Register

Join instructor Heather Guglielmo for a morning of yoga among the flowers at Broadturn Farm. Heather started her yoga practice about nine years ago, and holds her RYT 200 Yoga Teacher Training with the Fluid Yoga School through Samudra in Biddeford, ME. Her infectious laughter, kind heart, love for Thriller Flash Mob, 80’s music, her two dogs and Ireland will keep you coming back for more. Attendees should bring their own yoga mat or towel, water, weather-appropriate clothing, and insect repellent. We plan to be outside unless the weather forces us into the barn. All ages and levels of experience are welcome.

Pollinator Walk

Sunday, August 3, 1:00-2:30pm

Broadturn Farm, 4 Hanson Road

Learn More

Join Deborah Perkins, “The Personal Ecologist” and owner of First Light Wildlife Habitats, on a Pollinator Walk around Broadturn Farm. Meet our native pollinators out in their native habitat as we observe, identify, and understand these fascinating insects. Learn the importance of pollinators and the habitats they prefer. Rain date: August 10th

Summer Learning at Scarborough Public Library

Programs for Kids

Reader's Theater: Caps for Sale

Wednesday, July 16, 2:00-3:00pm

Register

Join us at The Enclave of Scarborough for this picture book meets theater mash up. We will hear the classic tale "Caps for Sale" by Esphyr Slobodkina then we will perform the story as a play. We have parts for ALL ages toddlers thru adults. Stage fright getting you down? Our wonderful cast will need an audience!  

Kids Fingerprint Art Workshop: Tiny Prints, Big Creativity!

Tuesday, July 22, 2:00-3:00pm

Let your child explore the magic of art right at their fingertips. This fun and imaginative session invites young artists to use their own fingerprints to create colorful characters, patterns, and playful scenes. For ages 9-13.

Explore Latin America

Wednesday, July 30, 3:00-5:00pm

Register

Join us to discover the vibrant diversity of Latin America! In this fun and interactive event, kids will embark on a tour of Latin America, exploring different countries and their unique cultures.

Programs for Adults

Author Talk: Peter D. Brown

Tuesday, July 22, 6:00-7:00pm

Register

Maine author Peter D. Brown will talk about his latest, “I AM JAYVYN,” a compelling work of historical fiction positioned to remind readers of the reality of the transatlantic slave trade and the key role the enslaved played in the development of America.

Maine Audubon's Coastal Birds Project

Tuesday, July 29, 6:00-7:00pm

Details coming soon! Learn more

Stop by the Library to pick up a summer reading challenge—available for kids and adults!