Contributed photo
NATURE’S BEAUTY — The sun peeks through some trees along the newly-created snowshoe and cross-country ski trails behind the Military Street Baptist Church in Houlton. The trails are open to the public.
By Gloria Austin
Staff Writer
HOULTON — As the sun radiates through the white birch trees, it illuminates the shadows of groomed snowshoe and cross-country ski trails. The image is breathtaking.
Military Street Baptist Church on the Hill relocated from its original home at 56 Military Street to the top of Drakes Hill on Mother’s Day, May 2013.
The Church on the Hill was built and designed to be an outreach to the community.
“As we’ve settled on the Hill, the goal has always been to make the church a community blessing,” said Pastor Randall Burns. “What can we offer or bring to the town that is not here. We had plans of how the building would be used. There are things happening we had not even thought of, which is wonderful. We want the building used hard and used often.”
Though ideas were concentrated for ministries and activities inside of the church, Burns said, “We didn’t give much thought about the back 40.” The building literally sits on 48 acres of land.
“Discussion then centered around snowshoeing trails or cross-country ski trails for the winter time and walking trails during the summer,” Burns explained. “That spurred on great excitement among a few. Martha Bell has been one in particular who had some wonderful connections and ideas.”
“We are fortunate to be partnering with Maine Winter Sports Center,” said Bell.
Maine Winter Sports Center (MWSC) encourages communities to embrace healthy, active outdoor lifestyles.
“It’s a perfect partnership,” Bell added. “They help build professional, quality trails, which are free to the public.”
Church organizers broke the first trails two months ago and Burns, who typically snowshoes around Nickerson Lake, tried out the new trail.
“When you are up in those woods, you literally feel you are out back somewhere,” he said of the solitude and serenity.
Mike Smith of MWSC recently surveyed the property and said there was absolutely potential with these local trails, and the organization had hoped access to public town trails would open up in southern Aroostook.
Though MWSC typically works among towns and school systems, this is the first time they have partnered with a church. The church already has many of the logistics covered such as parking, restrooms, showers and a coffee shop.
With the support of Healthy Aroostook, central and southern Aroostook‘s Healthy Maine Partnership, the Church on the Hill will be able to have the MWSC’s trailer full of ski equipment onsite for two weeks from Feb. 10-21. The trailer will move to Community Park for Moosestompers Weekend on Feb. 15-16, and then return to the church.
A “moon light” adult snowshoe trip is set for tonight at 5:30 p.m., with a “full moon” trek set for Valentine’s Day at 9 p.m., and a family fun day scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 16 from 1-4 p.m. During school vacation, there will be instructional ski sessions on Monday, Feb. 17 and Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m.
“We ask that an adult accompany children,” said Bell. “We will have skis, boots, and poles available and group instructional sessions on the fundamentals of cross-country skiing while the trailer is on site. These events are open to the public, which uses the trails at their own risk.
For those who snowshoe, the loop system is one-mile long, with a figure eight portion near the church, which is a half mile.
“The figure eight is great for families with young children and the extended loop is stunning,” Bell explained.
The trails are beginner to intermediate, and can be accessed to the right of the church. The snowshoe trails are flagged (yellow tape with black dots). The cross-country trail at this time encompasses an open field area behind the church.
“This is a shorter distance and is great for anyone wanting to learn the sport or enjoy a family adventure,” Bell said.
“We would love the trails to be used,” Burns added. “But, in the spirit of it being available space for anyone to use, we want people to respect and take care of the trails. It can really be a holy space up there just to get away and appreciate the beauty of God’s creation.”
In the spring, MWSC staff will work with the church to further develop the trail system.
“The trails at this time provide the most enjoyable experience possible given the existing terrain,” said Bell. “This spring, we will continue to partner with MWSC to further develop a sustainable trail system, which we welcome all to enjoy.”
