By Gillian Graham
Staff Writer

The Saco River rushes over rocks and twists betweens mill buildings, creating picturesque vistas currently not seen by many in the area.
That will change with the creation of an urban river walk through Biddeford’s mill district that could eventually link to other local and regional trails.
The city of Biddeford, Biddeford RiverWalk Coalition and Heart of Biddeford presented plans for the river walk at a kickoff meeting Oct. 21 at North Dam Mill. The walk would run along the Saco River between Mechanic’s Park and the Diamond Match property. Organizers would like to provide a connection across the river to Saco, where existing trails hug the coast.
Alix Hopkins, Biddeford RiverWalk Coalition director, said the concept of a river walk in Biddeford is one people have been thinking about for a long time.
“It’s a natural to think about,” she said during a slideshow of images from other urban walks.
Hopkins, who was the first director of Portland Trails, said, “Not only are the trails themselves wonderful, but the process of making them brings people together.”
Hopkins said plans for the river walk have been under way for about a year and the idea has generated “lots of excitement.” A trail through the mill complex will allow people to “discover things in our backyard,” she said.
“I remember the first time I saw the Saco River from this vantage point. I was blown away,” she said. “All you have to do is take one quick look and you fall in love.”
The benefits of an urban river walk are numerous, Hopkins said. She said trails improve quality of live, enhance property values, provide local business opportunities and transportation alternatives and support close-to-home recreation.
Project Manager Jonathan Edgerton of Wright-Pierce said the project is now in a conceptual planning phase. In the next several months, the project will undergo a preliminary design process while organizers work with property owners to negotiate pedestrian access through the area, which is largely privately owned. A final design should be ready by February and construction could begin next summer, he said.
Biddeford City Planner Greg Tansley said he hopes the trail will be accessible year-round. He said the goal is to have as much of the trail handicap accessible as possible, though that could be difficult in some areas because of the terrain.
Tansley said some funding for the project has already been secured, but the city can pursue more financing once the project is better defined. The city was awarded $500,000 and the council appropriated the money for the design process, he said.
Hopkins said there is the potential to include private funding in the project. That would likely come in the form of donations for art pieces or other elements to enhance the trail, she said.
Tansley said Biddeford mill owners involved in discussions of the projects see the “tremendous benefit” of urban trails.
“They’ve expressed a lot of excitement,” he said.   
Doug Sanford, owner of North Dam Mill, said he “definitely” supports plans for the trail. He said the walk could potentially go through a section of his building or extend from a wall over the river.
“The thought of the River Walk is exciting for everyone,” he said.
Organizers said input from the community about what they envision for a river walk is an essential part of the project.
“It’s really important for people to be involved,” Tansley said. “Input through the process is absolutely critical.”
Edgerton said public meetings are planned in December and January to gather input from residents about what they would like to see come out of the project, including art and historical elements.

Staff Writer Gillian Graham can be reached at 282-4337, ext. 213.