Orono Bog Boardwalk closing early, Nov. 14

For those of you who love visiting the Orono Bog Boardwalk, there are only a couple days left this season to do so. (So get out there!) The boardwalk will close at the end of the day on Friday, Nov. 14, two weeks earlier than normal, to make time for phase two of the boardwalk reconstruction project, according to a recent announcement by Orono Bog Boardwalk Director Jim Bird.

For a video tour of the boardwalk, led by Ron Davis, founder of the Orono Bog Boardwalk, click HERE.

051513BOGWALK-4Since it opened in June 2003, the boardwalk, which is free for people to use, has been visited by almost 300,000 people. Accessible from the Rolland F. Perry City Forest in Bangor, the boardwalk is a mile-long loop that allows visitors to venture out into a scenic peat bog without damaging delicate plant life.

The Boardwalk Campaign, a fundraising effort to replace the existing wood boardwalk with longer-lasting composite material, began early 2012. The goal is to replace all 509 sections of the boardwalk’s old cedar decking with longer-lasting composite, so people can enjoy it for decades to come.

Before the boardwalk opened this past spring, volunteers completed Phase I or the reconstruction project by replacing 105 sections.

Between mid-November’s closure and next spring’s reopening, nearly 100 additional sections of the boardwalk will be replaced, along with two interpretive sections and two wheelchair turnouts.

051513BOGWALK-8A volunteer staff maintains the boardwalk and provides information and education for visitors, including school and community groups. The facility is jointly managed by the Orono Land Trust, the City of Bangor and the University of Maine. Its operation and maintenance are funded entirely through donations, sales of boardwalk merchandise and grants.

For information about the Boardwalk, or to volunteer or contribute to the reconstruction and continued operation of the Boardwalk, visit umaine.edu/oronobogwalk/, e-mail jim.bird@umit.maine.edu or call 866-2578.

Aislinn Sarnacki

About Aislinn Sarnacki

Aislinn is a Bangor Daily News reporter for the Outdoors pages, focusing on outdoor recreation and Maine wildlife. Visit her main blog at actoutwithaislinn.bangordailynews.com.