Greetings!

I hope you are having a wonderful winter season!



We wanted to share with you a story of a winter snowball, this one with a purpose: Building trails that welcome everyone.

Sometimes the biggest changes begin with something small, like a single snowflake...

Our journey toward improved outdoor accessibility began that way in Fall 2024, with one outdoor accessibility workshop attended by our Executive Director. That workshop sparked new questions, new ideas, and ultimately a momentum that continues to grow.

Not long after, that snowflake turned into a snowball when KLT was awarded a $100,000 grant from Tom's of Maine to build an accessible trail at Alewive Woods Preserve. That generous investment didn’t just fund a project, it set us on an entirely new path. It challenged us to think more deeply about who our trails serve, what information people need before visiting, and how we can make nature more welcoming for even more people in our community.

With the trail development underway, we partnered with Nell, a public health graduate student. She researched best practices for nature accessibility and created a trail description template that shares key details so visitors can decide if a trail is right for them. Because of her work, KLT was selected as one of only 12 communities statewide to receive free technical assistance through the Maine Recreation and Park Association and Community Geographics. Our trails were assessed to identify barriers to access, create a list of improvements, and understand new and long term opportunities to expand outdoor recreation.

Following their assessment, Kara Wooldrik and Enock Glidden, outdoor inclusion specialists with Community Geographics, shared their insights and presented at KLT’s 2025 Annual Meeting and Fall Social, helping our community better understand the importance and possibilities of inclusive outdoor spaces.

The snowball keeps growing. This fall and spring, Nell is continuing her work as part of her Master’s capstone project, using the trail template she developed to rewrite all of KLT's trail descriptions and create a public accessibility guide for KLT properties. This resource will help visitors better plan their outings and feel confident before they arrive.

Meanwhile, the accessible trail itself - initially funded by TOM and now fully funded through six grant foundations and the generosity of over 60 local residents - will be completed in Spring 2026. We will hold a community launch party to celebrate the official opening of this incredible milestone.

From one workshop to a fully funded accessible trail, new partnerships, expanded knowledge, and lasting tools for inclusion, this snowball is proof that when we invest in access, the impact can be extraordinary.

And we’re just getting started.

You can support Kennebunk Land Trust with a one-time donation, monthly membership, or even give a gift membership to a loved one!

With your gift, we can ensure that these lands remain open and undeveloped to safeguard critical wildlife habitats, water resources, and open space for all to enjoy.

From all of us at Kennebunk Land Trust, thank you for your commitment to our mission to protect and maintain land benefiting people and the environment.

With exciting projects and partnerships planned for 2026, we look forward to advancing this important work with you.

Have a wonderful holiday season and happy new year!

Best,

Sandy Gilbreath, Executive Director

P.S. Your support makes an lasting difference to protect our cherished landscapes. Donations are tax-deductible, so consider giving now to make twice the impact! You can support KLT through Venmo and PayPal!