The Biddeford Forest project, fueled by Maine Water, is located only minutes from the downtown area and is twice the size of Clifford Park
By RANDY SEAVER | Editor
Nearly four years ago, the Biddeford City Council unanimously supported a resolution that would permanently protect more than 250 acres of pristine land near the western edge of the city.
On Tuesday, the city council saw that vision realized during a public presentation made by the Maine Coast Heritage Trust (MCHT), one of Maine’s most prominent land conservation organizations.
The protected forest land is nearly double the size of Biddeford’s Clifford Park and located on the southwest side of South Street, adjacent to Maine Water’s relatively new water treatment facility.
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Known as the Biddeford Forest project, the now protected land will be forever available for low-impact public recreational use, including hiking and walking trails.
The massive land conservation project was made possible by a collaborative effort with Maine Water, the region’s water utility that serves customers in Biddeford, Saco, Old Orchard Beach and along Pine Point in Scarborough.
“We are super excited about this property,” said Chris Schorn, MCHT project manager.
Schorn told the council that this agreement will now provide residents access to Swan Brook and other high-value natural resources. Furthermore, the Biddeford Forest project abuts land already preserved by the Saco Valley Land Trust and other land now owned by the city of Biddeford.
“Conserving 257 acres is no small
— Mayor Liam LaFountain
undertaking, but it is well worth
the effort and will impact our city
for generations.”
Over the next two years, an extensive series of walking and hiking trails will be developed on the property that will also feature a nearby parking area.
The nonprofit Maine Coast Heritage Trust has developed a $475,000 budget for the project and is roughly three-quarters of the way toward their fundraising goal that will facilitate trail development and maintenance.
Biddeford Mayor Liam LaFountain described the Biddeford Forest project as an “impressive accomplishment” that can only happen under the umbrella of collaboration and shared values.
“Through a permanent conservation easement, this land will be protected and open to the public in perpetuity,” LaFountain told the Gazette shortly after the presentation.
“Given the development pressures facing Biddeford and southern Maine as a whole, the preservation of this land represents a lasting inheritance, one that will belong to the residents of Biddeford for generations to come,” the mayor added.
LaFountain thanked Maine Water for their environmental leadership and also acknowledged several Biddeford residents who have devoted their time and resources to supporting the project.
“Conserving 257 acres is no small undertaking, but it is well worth the effort and will impact our city for generations,” LaFountain said. “By protecting Swan Pond Brook, the surrounding forest and critical wildlife habitat we are ensuring that the qualities that make Biddeford a place worth calling home remain intact for those who follow.”
A growing legacy of conservation and resource stewardship
MCHT officials praised Maine Water for its commitment to conservation efforts in Biddeford — and in other parts of the state.
Nearly two years ago, Maine Water formalized an agreement with the Coastal Mountains Land Trust that adds another 29 acres on Spruce Mountain to the more than 1,500 acres of open space on the Midcoast Region that the two organizations have already protected.
In addition to the land easement, Maine Water also donated $10,000 to the land trust in order to help fund the nonprofit’s ongoing conservation efforts.
Mark Vannoy, Maine Water’s president, said the utility considers critical land conservation efforts as a “top priority” in order to ensure an ongoing supply of high-quality drinking water.
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Similar to the Biddeford Forest project, Vannoy said his company greatly appreciates the opportunity to work closely with respected and dynamic land conservation organizations.
Vannoy described his company’s partnerships with organizations such as Maine Coast Heritage Trust and the Coastal Mountain Land Trust as the perfect opportunity to protect watershed assets while also expanding public access for low-impact recreational activity.
During a 2024 ceremony near Ragged Mountain Thorndike Brook Trailhead in Hope, Maine, Coastal Mountains Land Trust Executive Director Ian Stewart said Maine Water’s decision to partner on conservation initiatives, rather than sell land the company had been acquiring since the late 1800s, demonstrates a sincere commitment to some of the state’s most valued natural resources.
“There was an ethic on both sides of the conversation to say this is an opportunity to do something different than just sell this land off,” Steward said. “We live in an extraordinarily beautiful place, and there’s an opportunity still here to see that some of the most special place in our community are set aside.”
During the 2024 ceremony, Vannoy reminisced about how he reluctantly entertained his son’s suggestion a couple of years ago that the two of them take a January hike to the top of Ragged Mountain to watch the sunrise. Temperatures were in the single digits.
“It was well worth the effort,” Vannoy said. “It is just great to see the beauty of this place, and we’ve preserved that for generations to come.”
The partnership between Maine Water and the Coastal Mountains Land Trust permanently protected Mirror Lake and Grassy Pond, important sources of drinking water for six coastal communities.
Maine Water employees also regularly donate time and effort to maintain trails on the properties.
When discussing the Biddeford project, Vannoy echoed his company’s ongoing commitment to preserving and protecting natural resources.
“Our top priority is always clean, high-quality water, which is why we have such a strong drive to protect the resource,” Vannoy said. “But we also want this land to be available for low- impact recreational use for the people of Biddeford and nearby towns.”
Vannoy said that working with the city officials and the Maine Coast Heritage Trust has been rewarding experience.
“The result is an environmentally responsible and visionary arrangement that will benefit southern Maine people for decades to come,” Vannoy said.
VIEW / DOWNLOAD Full Presentation from Maine Coast Heritage Trust
ABOUT MAINE WATER COMPANY | Maine Water is a public water utility that owns 12 public water systems engaged in the collection, treatment and distribution of drinking water for homes, businesses and fire protection service. The company serves roughly 80,000 people in 21 communities across Maine. LEARN MORE | www.MaineWater.com.
ABOUT MCHT | MCHT has been a leading force in Maine’s nationally renowned land conservation efforts since 1970, focused on reconnecting waterways, improving coastal resiliency to climate change and preserving coastal access for communities. LEARN MORE | www.mcht.org
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