Gateways to the ECG

Gateways to the East Coast Greenway

On June 2, 2001 (National Trails Day), the ECGA celebrated the two Gateways to the East Coast Greenway: Key West, Florida (home of the Key West Bike Path and southern end of the Overseas Heritage Trail) and Calais, Maine (home of the Calais Waterfront Walkway and northern end of the DownEast Sunrise Trail).

The public was invited to the joint designation ceremony of the two beginning sections of the East Coast Greenway, the 2600 mile multi-use path between Maine and Florida.

TIME: 10:30 AM
WHERE: Calais Tourist Information Center & White St. Pier, Key West
TRAILS: The Downeast Sunrise Trail (Maine) and the Overseas Heritage Trail (Florida)
WHAT: After a short ceremony, a 2 mi. walk or 10 mi. bike ride
Guests sampled a taste of Maine in Florida and Florida in Maine on the 'Trail Connecting Cities'

Click here to read a news article of the event

Click here to read the press release for the Gateways event

Plaques were installed at the trailheads of the Key West Bike Path and the Calais Waterfront Walkway, acknowledging their "Gateway" status. The Key West plaque was mounted on Maine granite, while the Calais plaque was mounted on Keys limestone. Click here to read the press release about the Gateway trail markers and their historic nature

Click here to read more about National Trails Day and the American Hiking Society

And for your viewing pleasure, here are a selection of photos from the events in Calais and Key West. Click the thumbnail for a larger picture!

Sally Jacobs (DownEast Sunrise Trail Coalition) shows Congressman Baldacci which way the trail leads
(left to right) Sue Ellen Bordwell, Tony Barrett, ME DOT Commissioner John Melrose, US Representative John Baldacci, Calais Mayor Eric Hinson
The trailhead marker donated to Key West by Calais, Maine
Speakers, organizers and honorees at the Key West Gateway event

Return to the East Coast Greenway page