Maine Audubon opens All Persons Trail in Falmouth
Maine Audubon Opens Fully Accessible “All Persons Trail” in Falmouth
FALMOUTH, ME – The Gilsland Farm Audubon Center celebrated the opening of its first fully accessible trail in the greater Portland area on Monday. The new “All Persons Trail” offers a smooth, low‑slope path that welcomes hikers, wheelchair users, and those with other mobility aids to explore the sanctuary’s woods, meadow and river view.
The ribbon‑cutting ceremony, attended by local residents and visitors, began with a walk along the half‑mile loop that starts and ends at the visitor center. From there the trail follows a boardwalk into a meadow and loops back, with a 300‑foot spur winding uphill to a vista overlooking the Presumpscot River. Three rest areas equipped with benches provide ample opportunities for breaks and wildlife observation.
Maine Audubon’s president, Judy Camuso, praised the project as a clear illustration of the organization’s commitment to inclusive outdoor access. “This is a truly great example of our dedication to ensuring nature is available to everyone,” Camuso told the crowd. The trail was constructed to meet U.S. Forest Service accessibility standards, and input from members of the disabled community helped shape its design.
John Lee, a visually impaired visitor who navigated the trail with a white cane, remarked, “I’ve never seen anything like this before… What they’ve done here is an excellent thing.” His comment underscores the trail’s success in accommodating a range of abilities.
Another attendee, Jessica Russell, a longtime Portland resident who has been wheelchair bound since a car accident 27 years ago, highlighted the personal significance of the opening. “I feel incredibly lucky to have this beautiful, accessible trail just 10 minutes from my home now,” Russell said. “I’m excited to add one more beautiful outdoor space to my growing list of places where I’m welcome.” Russell, who had previously been active outdoors before her accident, noted how such projects allow people like her to experience the mental, social and physical benefits of nature again.
The trail’s funding came from a $250,000 fundraising effort, part of a larger multimillion‑dollar enhancement of the Gilsland Farm site. Additional projects underway include the construction of a native‑plant education center and renovations to the visitor center. In the coming weeks, the Audubon Center will install tactile interpretive signs and audio descriptions to further improve the visitor experience.
While the All Persons Trail is the only wheelchair‑accessible trail currently operating in a wildlife sanctuary in the region, Maine Audubon plans to expand its network of accessible paths in future projects.
As autumn foliage turned the woods gold and amber, the new trail’s opening was a quiet celebration of inclusivity, community engagement, and the enduring connection between people and the natural world.
