LIMESTONE, Maine — Limestone could have its first established ATV trail near Trafton Lake Campground coming year.
Though Limestone already has 23 miles of official trails, maintained by the Limestone Trail Hawks, there is no established route going around the campground. Because of that, many residents have complained of riders crossing through and damaging their property.
An established trail could fix that issue and better connect Limestone to trails in Fort Fairfield and Caswell, said former Trail Hawks Chris King.
“We’ve had missed opportunities to get more people up there,” King said about Trafton. “There are ATVers all over Aroostook who love camping.”
The town owns and operates Trafton Lake Campground. Located at 88 Lake Road, the campground is open from May to October and features 35 RV sites and 10 tent sites.
ATVs currently are not allowed on the campground due to past issues with riders going on walking and bike trails, said Select Board Chairperson Irma Labreck.
But a club-sponsored trail can reduce those issues because club members would be regularly responsible for trail grooming and enforcing rules, said select board member Chris Durepo.
“[ATVs] would be huge for Trafton Lake. It would turn the place into a true recreation area,” Durepo said during the April 19 board meeting.
The selectboard agreed to allow the development of a possible ATV trail, on the condition that King and the Trail Hawks establish and sponsor a trail. The trail’s exact route would depend on permission from nearby landowners.
The board also unanimously approved board member Randy Brooker as the town’s representative on the Trafton Lake Committee this year.
Interim Town Manager Walt Elliot said he is seeking a Trafton Lake manager for the season. Ideally, this person would live at the campground, maintain the grounds and oversee campsite rules, Elliot said.
Though Elliot knew of at least one person who might be interested, he said he has yet to find someone to recommend for hiring.
The select board will meet next at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 3, at the town office, located at 93 Main St.
