Phil Slayton center Phil Slayton (center) cuts a winterberry bush held by BRLT representatives, Executive Director Julie Lamy and Lands Coordinator Wolf Schumann during the Penny Lake Bridge dedication ceremony held Saturday, November 12. (Photo John Edwards)

The long-awaited bridge and trail at the Boothbay Region Land Trust's Penny Lake Preserve were officially opened Saturday, November 12. Seventy-five people eager to see the just-completed 130-foot wooden span over the Penny Lake wetlands and the new trail, both wheelchair accessible, attended a dedication reception at neighboring St. Andrews Village Retirement Community.

Welcoming remarks were given by BRLT President William Logan; Phil Slayton, a former BRLT president who came up with the vision 10 years ago for a preserve located virtually in the middle of town; and Nan Davison, immediate past president, who led the capital campaign that raised funds for the bridge/trail project.

"I've never been more impressed or more proud of what the land trust and this community have accomplished," Davison said. She commented that it took two capital campaigns, one in 2000, to acquire the wetlands at Penny Lake and Lobster Cove Meadow, and the most recent one which had as one of its three goals, the all-accessible bridge and trail at Penny Lake.

"This is a testament to the generosity of the community," she said.

Lands coordinator Wolf Schumann described the half-mile trail and the bridge, designed by board member Bill Haney, as one of very few in the state providing ADA compliant walkways for use by those with limited physical ability.

Nancy Bither, who leads BRLT bird walks, called the preserve "absolutely gorgeous," and a potential site for rarely seen birds. Already, 80 bird species have been identified at the preserve, and Bither said her goal is to match the 126 birds identified so far at Lobster Cove, the Boothbay Region Land Trust's other major wetland property.

Visitors then adjourned to the bridge to watch Slayton officially open it by snipping a winterberry bush laid across the entrance.

Peter Cole Construction built the bridge, a wooden plank structure, with seating located halfway across so that visitors can rest and admire the view of cattails, birds and other wetlands inhabitants. Pat Farrin and crew constructed the trail. The $22,000 cost for each portion of the project was raised during the recent capital campaign.

The trail starts at the Carousel Theatre and ends near Emery Lane in St. Andrews Village. There were no wheelchairs at Saturday's dedication, but several parents tested out the trail and bridge with strollers.

The preserve location near St. Andrews Village, the school, YMCA and just off of Route 27 provides an opportunity for the BRLT to build relationships with other community organizations, Logan noted.

Various BRLT speakers thanked those who made the protection of the preserve and its new trail and bridge possible: Land for Maine's Future, the Heald family who provided funds for land purchase; the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund; the Fields Pond Foundation, Maine Department of Parks and Recreation, the Wilson family who donated 10-acres, St. Andrews Village for donating a 25-acre conservation easement and St. Andrews and the Malcoms for trail easements.

Penny Lake is one of several BRLT preserves in the region, offering wildlife habit, stunning views of shoreline, forest, meadow and island areas and free public access to more than 27 miles of well-maintained trails.

More information on Penny Lake and the land trust's work is available at the BRLT office, 1 Oak St., Boothbay Harbor, by telephoning (207) 633-4818, or by visiting the land trust website, www.bbrlt.org .