CHISHOLM TRAILS

National Trails Day Event on Friday, June 3 in Jay and Livermore Falls
Chisholm Trails, a program of the Androscoggin Land Trust, is pleased to sponsor a National Trails Day Event on Friday, June 3 in Jay and Livermore Falls . Goals: To contribute to the development of open spaces and trails in the Androscoggin Greenway. To assist local communities in developing a deeper appreciation for the outdoor environment in which they reside. Date: Friday, June 3; Rain date: Monday June 6 Location: Proposed Riverfront School Trail from Livermore Falls to Jay & the Otis Mill Objectives: Students will Have the opportunity to meet and get to know students from their neighboring school. Walk the proposed Riverfront School Trail as a symbolic gesture of moving to a new school. Engage in healthy physical exercise. Learn through first-hand experience about the paper mill. Learn about and gain an appreciation for their environment in an outdoor based environmental education experience. Schedule: 8:00 am Jay 7 th graders bused to Livermore Falls Middle School 8:15-8:45 am Team building exercise at the Livermore Falls Middle School 8:45-9:45 am Walk to Otis Mill 9:45-10:00 am Keynote speaker Beth Moore, Jay High School student & Snack 10:00-11:40 am Participatory Activities 11:40am-12:00pm Lunch 12:00pm-1:00 pm Participatory Activities 1:00-1:45 pm Walk to Jay Middle School 1:45pm Livermore Falls 7 th graders bused back to their school.   Procedures: At Livermore Falls Middle School students are assigned to one of 6 groups. An equal number of students from each school will be in each group (10 students from Livermore Falls MS and 10 students from Jay MS) Students will participate in team building exercises within their assigned group. Students will walk with their teachers to Otis Mill along the proposed Riverfront School Trail. Students will listen to a keynote speaker and eat a snack upon arrival at the Otis Mill. Students in their assigned groups will participate in various activities (see below). Students will eat a bag lunch provided from home or their home school. Students in their assigned groups participate in various activities (see below). Students walk to Jay Middle School .

The communities of Jay and Livermore Falls have been selected by the National Park Service to receive assistance in planning the Androscoggin Greenway in our region. Seeking to build on the success of the new Foundry Road Trail in Livermore Falls and the well-known Whistle Stop Trail (Jay to Farmington ) in Jay, area leaders have partnered with the Androscoggin Land Trust ( ALT ) to connect our neighborhoods, schools, and the Androscoggin River with a heritage walkway.

Chisholm Trails' National Trails Day 2010 School to School Walk

The Vision

Communities working together to celebrate our history, connect our special places, create recreational opportunities, and attract people to live, work and play here.

The Goal

Our initial goal is to link the Jay and Livermore Falls high schools and the river, with a recreational trail.

Who is Involved?

Although the Jay and Livermore Falls area is best known for its industrial heritage and role in Maine's forest products economy, an emerging focus on downtown revitalization and recreational use of the Androscoggin is creating innovative partnerships to attract new investment and visitors. Chisholm Trails is a grassroots organization and our partners include businesses, town government, non-profits, recreational groups and others are pitching in. For our full list of our supporters, click here.

For more information or to get involved, contact: Androscoggin Land Trust, 782-2302

"Our home towns of Jay and Livermore Falls have a beautiful area in which to be proud. Chisolm Trails is a great example of how we can work together for the betterment of our communities. This will be a spectacular trail where our citizens can get active and where visitors will be attracted!"

"I think the idea of a trail connecting the schools is a win win situation. The kids get a safe place to get exercise, the towns get a project they can work on together, and Tim Demillo and Mary Howes of Otis Ventures get support for their efforts to revive business at the Otis Mill site. This project looks to the future of Jay/Livermore Falls!"

Kenny Jacques
Co-owner, Ski Depot and landowner

"This exciting, collaboration between Chisholm Trails and Androscoggin Land Trust to build a walking trail connecting our schools deserves all the support we can muster. It addresses, health and recreation, pays homage to our heritage, lays the groundwork for future cooperation between the towns of Jay and Livermore Falls and acts to buttress growing efforts at economic revitalization. Greater Franklin Development Corp gives a big thumbs up!"

Alison Hagerstrom
Executive Director, Greater Franklin Development Corporation